YOU’RE probably wondering how can this delightful and delectable classic Italian dish, i.e. puttanesca or marinara, be unsightly. Well, we’re not talking about that.
This is what we’re talking about – sagging and tangled electric wires and cable and communication lines that is commonly known in “I Am Iloilo City” as “spaghetti wires”.
Sometime last year I wrote about the project of Mayor Jerry Treñas to clear main thoroughfares, including public plazas, of unsightly and dangerous “spaghetti wires”. Although there were indeed tangible efforts to get rid of these unsightly and dangerous “spaghetti wires”, those were not enough. The ideal solution would be to have an underground cable, telecommunication and electric wires system. But bearing in mind the logistical, technical and financial requirements , this ambitious but necessary project does seem like wishful thinking.
For decades the natives of “I Am Iloilo City” have accepted as fact of life this unsightly visual pollution (not to mention very dangerous and highly volatile as the wires could burst into flames the moment an exposed wire or cable comes in contact with each other) to the point that nobody ever thought these “spaghetti wires” could actually be removed. Well, that is until some groups came up with a very good plan.
The major players of public utilities in “I Am Iloilo City” i.e. Smart and Globe Communications, PLDT, Sky Cable and MORE Power, together with the city government, met to discuss these “spaghetti wires” and what should be done about them.
That meeting was initiated by MORE Power considering that it had the technical capabilities and equipment it. The meeting resulted into the organization of Public Utilities Group of Iloilo (PUGI), which lists as members all the major players in the city’s public utility business.
That meeting further resulted into an agreement to remove most if not all of the unsightly and dangerous “spaghetti wires” along Calle Real. And most important, there was an initial agreement to split the total cost of P150 million for the underground wiring, with MORE Power shouldering P96 million and the telcos paying for P54 million
Without so much fanfare, concrete plans for an underground cable, telecommunication and electrical system in selected areas in “I Am Iloilo City” are already underway.
Just recently a public hearing was conducted in the Sangguniang Panlungsod regarding the laying down of cable and all lines hanging like spaghetti in an underground system.
Of course and without a doubt, MORE Electric and Power Company will undertake this massive project. The implementation will begin this year on Calle Real and public plazas. According to Roel Castro, president and chief executive officer of MORE Power, this ambitious project is scheduled to start late April this year.
Public Utilities Committee chairman Kagawad Rommel Duron pointed out: “It is not only for aesthetics, but for the safety and continued uninterrupted electrical, cable and telephone services.”
With MORE Power spearheading the construction of this underground cable, telecommunication and electrical system and considering their track record of not only getting the job done but doing it well, we can then expect that come Dinagyang 2024 the Calle Real will be free from “unsightly spaghetti.”/PN
