THE Baguio City Council passed on first reading a proposed ordinance requiring the Benguet Electric Cooperative (Beneco) and other public utilities operating in the city to phase-out all old and dilapidated poles or posts that pose danger to the public.
Authored by Councilor Maria Mylen Victoria Yaranon, the proposed measure also directs public utility firms to coordinate with Beneco for the transfer of their lines to the newly-installed poles or posts within 90 days from its approval.
It points out Beneco has been continually replacing old poles or posts in the city and other public utilities have transferred some of their lines to the newly-installed poles or posts.
The measure adds Beneco and other public utilities have left out some of the old posts or poles in some areas including major city routes.
If approved, the ordinance orders the removal of all inactive cables or lines attached to Beneco poles and for public utilities to conduct urgent tensioning of active dangling cables or lines.
Public utilities must also strictly comply with provisions of the Philippine Electrical Code pertaining to vertical and horizontal clearances of wires, conductors and cables.
Those who fail to comply with the ordinance’s provisions will be fined P200 per pole or post per day as per inventory by the Public Order and Safety Division in coordination with the City Engineers Office. (Gaby Keith/PIO and Rebecca Tial/PIO Intern)