LC eyes mandating telcos to install their cables underground

Laoag councilor Jaybee Baquiran defends his measure during a regular session mandating the public telecommunications to install their cables underground. (Doms dela Cruz)

By Dominic B. dela Cruz (staff reporter)

Laoag City—The city government here is eyeing to mandate all public telecommunication facilities to install their cables or wires in a common underground cable passage.

The 1987 Constitution declares that the State recognizes the vital role of communication and information in nation-building, while Republic Act 7925, also known as the, "Public Telecommunications Policy Act of the Philippines", also declares the policy that the fundamental objective of government is to develop and maintain a viable, efficient, reliable, and universal telecommunication infrastructure using the best available and affordable technologies, as a vital tool to nation building and development.

Section 16 of the Local Government Code of 1991 (RA 7160) states, among others, that every local government unit shall exercise the powers expressly granted, those necessarily implied therefrom, as well as powers necessary, appropriate, or incidental for its efficient and effective governance, and those which are essential to the promotion of the general welfare and to preserve the comfort and convenience of their inhabitants and along this mandate that this policy is aligned to, particularly on the safety of the people, especially during calamities and disasters.

Laoag councilor Jaybee Baquiran said the city government of Laoag recognizes the importance of telecommunication services in local development and in disaster response.

Baquiran added that in the city, cables and poles are often destroyed or toppled during strong typhoons, earthquakes, and other calamities, poising risk to people and disruption in telecommunication services, which is very vital in times of emergencies and disasters.

Relative to this, Baquiran believes that a common underground passage of these telecommunication cables will serve the purpose of having a safer and orderly arrangement of cable connections, not only for aesthetic purposes but will also promote local tourism and cultural development by avoiding the problem of unsightly tangled connections commonly termed as spaghetti connections in the different tourism, cultural, and other conspicuous areas within the city.

He also noted that all public telecommunications entities, including cable TV operators, as well as private entities attached to electric/telecommunication and/or private poles operating within the city are part of the mandate.

The design and the specifications of the “common underground cable passage” shall be type-approved by all telecommunication entities and shall submit and present it to the City Engineering Office, Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), and other relevant local agencies within the city and under the supervision of the Sangguniang Panlungsod’s public works, Transportation and communication committee chairperson and the city government of Laoag through the local chief executive, may engage the private sectors or entities with expertise on underground cable passage in the design, financing, construction, maintenance, and operation of the common underground cable passage.

“All public telecommunication entities are hereby mandated to transfer their cables or wires from poles to the common underground cable passage within a period of three years upon completion and acceptance by the City Engineering Office,” he said.

Baquiran pointed out that there shall be no installation or construction of poles for wires or cables for the utilization of public telecommunication entity without prior authorization from the task force;  installation of cable or wire on existing poles of public telecommunication entities without prior authorization from the task force; and the task force shall authorize the installation of poles, cables, or wires only in case of emergency or urgent repairs necessitated by force majeure, natural calamities, accidents, or unforeseen technical issues that may pose a risk to public safety and or significantly disrupt the services of the public telecommunication entities.

Failure to comply will result in: first offense, a fine of PHP3,000 per pole per day; second offense, a fine of PHP5,000 per pole per day; and third and succeeding offenses, a fine of PHP5,000 per pole per day, and revocation of business permit.

Baquiran noted further that after the construction of the common underground cable passage, all telecommunication entities in coordination with the task force shall clear all their overhead cables and wires and remove their poles which are no longer in use.