Cebu City is exploring the installation of underground power distribution lines in key areas as part of a long-term effort to modernize utility infrastructure, improve public safety, and strengthen the city’s resilience to natural disasters.
Mayor Nestor Archival and officials of the Visayan Electric Company (VECO) discussed the proposal during a meeting on July 3, along with plans to speed up the removal of tangled overhead utility cables, commonly known as “spaghetti wires.”
The meeting focused on possible implementation timelines and ways to accelerate both initiatives, although no specific locations or target completion dates were identified.
Archival said placing power lines underground would help protect critical infrastructure from typhoons, earthquakes, and other extreme weather events while reducing the likelihood of power interruptions.
He added that removing overhead utility cables would also improve road safety and enhance the city’s appearance.
The proposal forms part of Cebu City’s broader effort to modernize public infrastructure through closer coordination with VECO, the city’s power distributor.
The discussions also come as the City Council considers measures to address the long-standing problem of cluttered utility poles and overhead cables.
Earlier, Councilor Alvin Arcilla proposed a Single-Pole Ordinance that seeks to regulate the installation, maintenance, and management of utility poles used by electric, telecommunications, internet, and cable service providers.
The proposed ordinance aims to eliminate “spaghetti wires,” remove abandoned and unused cables, and consolidate multiple utility poles into a single dominant pole where feasible to improve safety and reduce visual clutter.
Under the measure, only one utility pole would generally be allowed in a specific location, with a minimum spacing requirement between poles unless exempted. Existing clustered poles would be consolidated, while utility companies would be required to remove hazardous or unused wires and comply with engineering and safety standards within a three-year implementation period.
The proposal also designates VECO as the city’s primary pole authority responsible for maintaining poles that can accommodate multiple utility attachments while ensuring fair access for other service providers.
If implemented alongside the underground power distribution project, the initiatives are expected to significantly improve Cebu City’s utility network, reduce overhead cables, enhance disaster resilience, and improve the city’s streetscape.
Photo courtesy of SB
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