Iloilo City Mandates Underground Wiring to Preserve Heritage and Enhance Safety
Sponsored by Atty. Romel Duron
Iloilo City has taken a significant step toward urban modernization and heritage preservation with the enactment of Regulation Ordinance No. 2023-006, sponsored by Atty. Romel Duron. This ordinance requires all public electric utility companies and telecommunication carriers to place their wires and cables underground in key areas, including Plaza Complexes, Sun Burst Park, B.S. Aquino Avenue, and all designated heritage sites. The measure aims to eliminate unsightly and hazardous dangling cables, improve public safety, and protect the city’s cultural and historical landmarks. Violators face escalating penalties, including fines up to PHP 5,000 and potential business permit cancellation for repeated non-compliance.
Atty. Duron emphasized that this initiative aligns with Iloilo City’s vision of becoming a model for sustainable urban development. A Task Force Alambre Oversight Committee, chaired by the City Mayor, will oversee implementation, ensuring coordination among stakeholders like PLDT, Globe Telecom, and MORE Electric and Power Corporation. The ordinance also mandates that companies bear the costs of underground installation and street restoration, with a nominal PHP 0.01 per kWh charge passed to consumers over 30 years. By prioritizing aesthetics, safety, and heritage conservation, Iloilo City sets a benchmark for other urban centers to follow.
