Davao City’s Anti-spaghetti wire ordinance: More than just aesthetics
In response to the City Government of Davao’s Anti-Spaghetti Wires Ordinance, directing Davao Light and Power Company (Davao Light) and telecommunications companies (telcos) operating in the city to remove dangling and spaghetti wires from main thoroughfares, aiming to clean 70 kilometers of roads from wires this year, significantly greater than the 10 kilometers they cleaned up in 2024.
Davao Light and telecommunications companies cooperate and collaborate in implementing this ordinance not only for the city’s overall look but also for the public’s safety.
Ronel M. Maamo, Davao Light’s lead for the implementation of the Anti-Spaghetti Wire Ordinance, acknowledged the challenge of the task given the size of Davao City. However, he affirmed their commitment to public safety and improving the city’s overall aesthetic.
Maamo said that Davao Light’s role includes providing provisions or brackets for the telcos to transfer their active wires and cables, while telcos must also remove their inactive wires and cables and properly secure their lines. But each company funds its own labor and materials in implementing its part in the project.
Maamo said they are currently working on meeting their first-quarter target for 2025, which covers the Diversion Road to Davao City International Airport, Milan and Buhangin, then to J.P. Laurel going to Gaisano, Sta. Ana, Lapu-Lapu, R. Castillo, and finally to Panacan. This is in response to the city's directive for Davao Light and telcos to prioritize areas, such as airports and major thoroughfares, due to its impact on tourism and impression on visitors.
“Ang gina prio sa City kay ang major thoroughfares kay tungod daghang motorista ang ga-agi dinhi og ang tumong kay ang safety and protection sa tanan, and of course para limpyo tan-awon ang atong mga kadalanan,” he said in an interview with SunStar Davao.
(The City prioritizes the major thoroughfares because many motorists pass through them, and the goal is the safety and protection of everyone and of course, to make our roads look clean)
He reported that for its part, Davao Light has completed the stretch from Panacan along the DPWH road to Milan, Buhangin. However, some sections of Milan were skipped due to heavy traffic, and currently, they are in the Sasa area heading toward DPWH, aiming to complete the works within the week.
Maamo added that they target to clean up 50 kilometers by the end of May and will start working in the southern part of the city by July or August.
In 2024, Davao Light focused on the downtown area and aligned its cleanup efforts with the Underground Cabling Project, particularly before the Kadayawan Festival. That year, they cleaned up spaghetti wires on Rizal Street, Bolton Street, Iñigo Street, and other parts of the downtown area.
Maamo admitted that their progress in 2024 was slower due to initial implementation challenges. They were only able to clear 10 kilometers that year, but he said significant improvements in 2025, with 35 kilometers already completed.
He added that the ordinance’s pilot implementation began in February 2024 on Rizal Street, in cooperation with Davao Light and telco companies. From there, the project expanded to other parts of downtown Davao City.
He highlighted that spaghetti wires pose risks to motorists, especially when vehicles get entangled in low-hanging wires. Beyond safety, the ordinance has improved the city’s aesthetics, particularly in areas where implementation is complete.
Fermin Edillon, head of Davao Light's Reputation Enhancement Department, emphasized the need to remove inactive lines from old or closed telcos
“It is a good move [implementation of the anti-spaghetti wire ordinance] na to address the mga concerns sa citizens nato or tung taga-Davao na nganong para limpyo tan-won. Makita man gyud nimo grabe ang improvement, you can take photos dinhi or photos dira sa C.M. Recto padulong sa Bajada medyo na improve na gyud,” he said.
(It is a good move [the implementation of the anti-spaghetti wire ordinance] to address the concerns of our citizens or the people of Davao who want the city to look clean. You can really see the improvement. You can take photos here or along C.M. Recto going towards Bajada; it has really improved.)
Maamo reechoes Fermin’s emphasis, revealing that 50 percent of the spaghetti wires they removed were outdated or non-functional wires from old or closed telcos.
He explained that during cleanups, all non-compliant or unsafe dangling wires are removed, while functional wires are bundled and properly organized. Each telco company will be assigned specific slots in the brackets, and future installations will be organized accordingly.
Davao Light has five teams working on this ordinance: three for cleanup and one for processing telco applications for attachments. In total, 32 personnel are assigned to the cleanup operations.
Not only for aesthetics but for safety
Maamo shared that Typhoon Odette's impact on Visayas prompted Davao Light to immediately implement the ordinance.
Although Odette was not classified as a super typhoon, many electric poles managed by Visayan Electric, Davao Light’s sister-company, collapsed.
Upon investigation, it was discovered that spaghetti wires contributed to the collapse by compromising the structural integrity of the poles. Maamo warned that a similar scenario could occur in Davao City if spaghetti wires are not cleared, potentially leading to widespread power outages in the event of a typhoon.
Vilma Castillo, a karenderia owner in Bajada, said she supports the ordinance, citing reduced risks of accidents. As a business owner and resident, she values a safer and cleaner environment.
“Mas convenient for transportation going to the market and mga areas around Bajada na need adtuan para sa supplies and ingredients if limpyo and walay samok sa dalan. Then, syempre mas nindot tan-awon kay limpyo ang dalan, unlike kung naa gihapon ang spaghetti wires,” she said.
(It's more convenient for transportation going to the market and areas around Bajada that need to be visited for supplies and ingredients if the roads are clean and free from obstructions. And of course, it looks much better when the roads are clean, unlike when the spaghetti wires are still there.)
She added that with the wires gone, they no longer worry when large trucks pass through the area, which previously got stuck due to low-hanging cables.
Jane Nunez, a resident of Cabantian and an employee of an academic institution, shared that before the cleanup, thunderstorms and strong winds often resulted in power interruptions, affecting work, school, and daily life.
“Ang mga spaghetti wires kay naghatag ni ug kahugaw ug gubot sa city then karon na wala na sila, mas limpyo ug modern na kaayo tan-awon ang Bajada (The spaghetti wires made the city look messy and disorganized, but now that they’re gone, Bajada looks much cleaner and more modern),” she said.
She emphasized that clearing the roads of spaghetti wires significantly improves safety and enhances the city’s visual appeal.
Davao City Councilor Atty. Diosdado Mahipus, proponent of the ordinance, told SunStar Davao that the Anti-Spaghetti Wires Ordinance is crucial not only for city beautification but also for public safety. He expressed gratitude that it is being enforced and hopes for 100 percent compliance.
Mahipus said many Dabawenyos are pleased with the progress, and telco companies have been cooperative. Several barangays have even requested that their areas be included in the cleanup.
He added that although there is no fixed deadline for full implementation across the city, they have asked telco companies to submit compliance plans. The initial goal is to implement these plans within three years.
“Kani siya importante kaayo kung naa mo makita nga installer na mga nagataod, sa telco tingali magtaod ug wires, sila pod atoa silang pahimangnuan o pahinumduman kabahin sa ordinansa kay naay panagsa ginatwag nato contractors, apil sa hisgutan usahay ang mga contractors. Naa silay empleyado usab wala na pod sila kabalo siguro nga naa tay balaod nga anti-spaghetti wires,” he said.
(This is very important — if you see any installers putting up wires, like from telco companies, we should also remind them about the ordinance. Sometimes we call them contractors, and occasionally, these contractors have employees who may not have been properly oriented. Maybe they don’t know that we have a law against spaghetti wires.)
Expanded to other areas
Maamo shared that following Davao City's lead, neighboring municipalities under Davao Light have started implementing similar ordinances. The Municipalities of Sto. Tomas and Carmen in Davao del Norte passed their own versions of the ordinance in December 2024.
In Sto. Tomas, the pilot area is in front of the Municipal Hall, where 600 meters of spaghetti wires were removed. In Carmen, the pilot area is in front of the newly constructed park, where redundant poles and wires were cleared.
Maamo said that the Municipality of Braulio E. Dujali is also in the process of passing the same ordinance, which is currently on the second public hearing. He expects it to be approved soon. Panabo City is also working on adopting the ordinance. Although the process was delayed due to the recent elections, Maamo remains confident it will be implemented.
To recall, the 20th City Council approved the Anti-Spaghetti Wires Ordinance on its third and final reading on December 1, 2023. The ordinance enforces compliance with Republic Act 11361, the “Anti-Obstruction of Power Lines Act,” ensuring that transmission and distribution systems remain free of dangerous obstructions from surrounding structures or airspace.
Non-compliance will result in a Notice of Violation or Compliance Order, with a penalty of P300 per pole per day until resolved. Continued failure to comply may result in the non-renewal of business permits.
The ordinance is the initiative of the Local Government Unit of Davao for the utility and telecommunications to comply to remove dangling and spaghetti wires in the city. RGP