CEBU, Philippines — Cebu City Councilor Jerry Guardo announced that the city government and utility companies have already cleaned up around 40% of the “spaghetti wires” — or wires dangling on posts in the aftermath of Typhoon Odette.
Guardo is hopeful that they will reach the target of completing the task by February 24 in line with Mayor Michael Rama’s order to clean it all up before the city celebrates Charter Day.
The progress is expected to speed up as other telecommunication companies are also sending more people from other areas to help in the cleanup.
Guardo said telcos are about to finish restoring internet connection for their consumers so they can focus on helping clean up the broken wires.
The councilor has also asked the mayor if they can work on the major thoroughfares for the deadline, with interior roads to follow.
To note, Task Force Ratsada was first formed to focus on that concern.
The city’s Ratsada Task Force is comprised of members of the Cebu City Disaster Response Reduction and Management Office (CCDRRMO), Prevention, Restoration, Order, Beautification and Enhancement (PROBE) team, Cebu City Traffic Office (CCTO), Department of Public Services ( DPS) and the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) - Special Rescue Force (SRF) and representatives of utility companies.
Retired Fire Brigadier General Aderson A. Comar leads the task force.
As of now, clearing operations are ongoing along B. Rodriguez, M. Velez Street, and V. Rama Street going to some parts of Guadalupe.
“Atoa gyud nang paningkamotan, magpadayon ang atong effort. Nihangyo ko ni mayor nga we will just focus on major thoroughfares sa pagkakaron. Isunod dayon ang naa sa mga interior nga bahin,” said Guardo.
The problem on spaghetti wires has been present even before the typhoon but the latter made such problem worse.
Guardo said the spaghetti wires block the roads, making it hard for people and vehicles to pass.
He said there have been complaints in the past that the wires can trap people. — KQD (FREEMAN)