Mandaue City Councilor Demands Action on Hazardous Dangling Cables
In a recent appeal, Mandaue City Councilor Eugene Andaya has called upon the City Engineering Office (CEO) to take immediate steps to prevent accidents caused by low-hanging and dangling cables across the city. Andaya, who chairs the committee on disaster risk reduction and management, emphasized the urgent need for collaboration between the CEO and telecommunication and cable service providers to tackle this growing public safety issue.
Widespread Problem Along Roads
Councilor Andaya highlighted that dangling wires are a common sight throughout Mandaue City, particularly along highways and barangay roads where heavy vehicles frequently pass. He pointed out that telecommunication companies, in their rush to expand internet services, often install cables at unsafe heights, contributing to a cluttered and hazardous environment.
"Along the highways and even in barangay roads, there are really a lot of dangling wires," Andaya stated, underscoring the pervasiveness of the problem.
Risks to Motorists and Pedestrians
The councilor explained that low-hanging wires are especially vulnerable to being struck by large vehicles, such as container vans and wing vans. When these wires snap or fall, they create significant dangers for everyone on the road, including motorists and pedestrians.
"With the number of telcos now providing internet services, their wires are often installed too low. When large trucks pass, especially container vans and ten-wheelers, they get caught. That's when accidents happen," Andaya warned. He specifically noted that motorcyclists are at high risk of entanglement, while large trucks can pull down improperly installed cables, triggering road hazards.
Resurfacing Issue and Past Efforts
Andaya revealed that this problem has resurfaced despite previous efforts by the City Government, which had deployed engineering teams to remove dangling wires. To address the recurrence, he pushed for a resolution to remind authorities of their responsibilities.
"We already assigned teams from the engineering office before to clear these dangling wires. But this resolution is to remind and refresh that effort because the problem has returned," he said. He added that loose wires have already caused accidents, posing a serious threat to Mandauehanons and others passing through the city.
Lack of Coordination and Safety Focus
The issue is particularly evident in areas like Barangay Pagsabungan, Plaridel Street, Barangay Labogon, and Barangay Paknaan. Andaya criticized companies for installing cables at night without proper coordination, recalling his time as a barangay councilor in Paknaan when telcos were required to coordinate and secure permits for more organized installations.
Andaya stressed that the primary goal is to ensure public safety rather than impose sanctions. "There may be no penalties yet, but what we want is for them to properly install their lines so no one gets hurt," he asserted. He called on both government agencies and private providers to take responsibility for safeguarding the public.
