Mandaue City, together with distribution utility Visayan Electric, has begun implementing its One-Pole Policy, aimed at clearing low-hanging wires to enhance public safety and reducing unnecessary and unsafe poles along major roads and highways.
On Monday, November 18, 2024, Mandaue City officials, led by Mayor Glenn Bercede, and Visayan Electric, represented by its president and COO Raul Lucero, attended the official launch of the ordinance at the Parkmall Mandaue.
“Nag expect ta nga in a few months, malimpyo nagyud ni,” said Mandaue City Councilor Jimmy Lumapas, chairman of the City Council’s Committee on Transportation. “Kini nga ordinance, first ni sa entire province of Cebu. Ang Mandaue pa ang nakauna aning single-pole ordinance,” he added.
Last September, Mandaue City approved the Mandatory Single-Pole Ordinance of 2024, commonly referred to as the One-Pole Policy. The ordinance is officially titled: “An Ordinance Establishing a Single-Pole Policy and Providing Measures for the Enhanced Rectification of Low-Lying, Unsightly, and Substandard Installation of Aerial Utility Lines, the Eradication of Dead Wires, Including Further Measures on Preventing Entangled Aerial Line Incidents, and Imposing Penalties for Violations Thereof, and for Other Purposes.”
The ordinance was created mainly to keep the public safe from low-hanging, spaghetti wires which pose a risk to motorists and pedestrians. It also aims to get rid of clustered and unsafe poles that obstruct mobility of pedestrians along sidewalks.
Visayan Electric, which owns the majority of the electric poles in the city, has pledged its full cooperation in implementing the ordinance.
“Kami sa Visayan Electric, we are committed nga mag-provide gyud mi ug mga equipment ug mga tawo nga mutabang ug limpyo niining atoang mga kadalanan,” said Visayan Electric President and COO Raul Lucero.
In addition to Visayan Electric, other utility companies such as MCWD, DPWH, and NGCP, and telecommunications providers are also participating in the initiative.