BAGUIO CITY – With the city’s plan to convert the existing overhead lines to underground lines in the central business district area, mayor Mauricio Domogan recently formed a technical working group (TWG) to conduct a feasibility study in coming up with an underground system for telecommunication and electric power lines.
Domogan directed the city engineering office to chair the said TWG and sangguniang panlungsod committee on public utilities, transportation and traffic legislation chair as the co-chairperson.
Members are representatives from the City Buildings and Architecture Office, City Administrator’s Office, Department of Public Works and Highways- BCDEO, City Planning and Development Office, Globe Telecom, Smart Communications, Inc., Philippine Long Distance Telephone Company and Baguio Electric Cooperative.
It is recalled that in order to address the topsy-turvy wiring and cable networks of public utility companies that create eyesores and poses threat to public safety challenges, councilor Leandro Yangot, Jr. proposed an ordinance requiring all public utility companies utilizing wires and cables to install underground lines and obliging them to convert overhead lines in the CBD into underground lines.
Public utility and cable companies previously are amenable and are in support to the city’s plan not only to eliminate eyesores in the city but also to prevent any threat to public safety most especially during the onslaught of natural calamities. /Jho Arranz
