LU to Expect Less-Wire Streets after Approval of TelCos Underground Cabling System Policy
By: Rhea Matilde A. Ballesteros, GPC – SP | Photos By: Sangguniang Panlalawigan of La Union | Date: April 25, 2023
The Province of La Union is set to go through major street transformation in the next three years as the Provincial Government and the Sangguniang Panlalawigan aims for a less-wire thoroughfare through an underground cabling system.
After series of discussions and consultations with experts and stakeholders, ocular inspection, and benchmarking activities, the 23rd Sangguniang Panlalawigan of La Union passed on third reading the Drafted Provincial Ordinance on Underground Cabling System in the Province of La Union, during their 43rd Regular Session on April 25, 2023.
Sangguniang Panlalawigan Board Members Maria Annabelle S. De Guzman, Victor I. Rivera, Ruperto A. Rillera, Jr., Geraldine Joy R. Ortega, and Geraldine R. Ortega authored the said Provincial Ordinance No. 405 - 2022 also known as “Mandating All Telecommunication Companies and Other Related Entities that Use Overhead Wires and/or Cables Operating within the Province of La Union along All Public Roads to Include all National, Provincial, City, Municipal and Barangay Roads to Install and/or Relocate Their Respective Wires and Cable System Underground Through the Common Underground Pipe System”.
The underground cabling system policy aims to protect the people from the hazardous effects of toppled overheard lines and posts/poles in the event of natural disasters, and to improve the service reliability of the Telecommunication Companies (TelCos) especially during disasters and calamities. Likewise, to improve the aesthetic appearance by reducing the visual clutter caused by the overhead cables and poles.
The ordinance requires the use of fiber-optic cables to be buried underground in order for the TelCos to provide a more secure and stable connection compared to overhead cables that are vulnerable to natural disasters and accidents.
The ordinance also provides a transition of three years from its effectivity for TelCos to complete the installation and relocation of their overhead cables to underground through an underground common pipe system. All telecommunication companies and related companies which will violate the provisions of this ordinance will be penalized in the amount of P5,000.00 per day, without prejudice to other civil, criminal and other administrative liabilities.
The policy has been endorsed by the municipal/city engineers and relevant government agencies as well as TelCos operating in La Union as an innovative development that will improve the service quality and reliability of internet connectivity in the province.
Through the La Union PROBINSYAnihan of the Provincial Government of La Union headed by Gov. Raphaelle Veronica "Rafy" Ortega-David, TelCos, partner government agencies, and stakeholders, the policy is expected to generate impactful economic benefits for the province in terms of job creation, investments and the development of related industries.
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