More than 100 poles still obstructing city streets

By: Emme Rose Santiagudo

A total 140 poles owned by telecommunication companies and Iloilo City’s sole power distributor Panay Electric Co. are still obstructing the major streets in the metro.

According to Executive Assistant for Power Engr. Randy Pastolero, 106 of these poles are owned by telcos while 34 are owned by PECO.

Pastolero said the poles were initially identified by the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) as the first priorities in the city that need immediate action.

“DPWH first identified 254 priorities and then nagdugang sila 99 pa gid. Na-aksyunan na nila but then may nabilin pa nga 140 poles,” he said in a phone interview on Monday.

Mayor Jerry Treñas initially gave PECO and the telcos until December 31, 2019 to clear all the spaghetti wires and obstructing poles in the metro.

But with the massive problems on the spaghetti wires particularly in City Proper and Lapaz district, Pastolero said they already agreed to come up with an action plan based on their identified priorities.

“We need to identify individually kun ano ipaubra if on the fixing of wires i-bundle or we go to more specific repairs, redundant poles. Gusto naton iset ang standard para mahapos and we will create a model and discuss and pa-aprubahan kay mayor kung ano gid ang unahon,” he said.

Pastolero said that they will prioritize the City Proper district in preparation for the upcoming Dinagyang Festival next year.

“Mauna ang City Proper, gina-identify nga kalye nga paga-agyan amo na ang first priority kay the dira gid ang aton Dinagyang main activities,” he said.

Pastolero said he is set to meet with the Iloilo Utilities Group (IUG) composed of PECO, telecommunication, and cable companies on Tuesday to iron out their action plan.