BY: VANESSA BUGTONG

Tangled and sometimes even hanging, these cables attached to posts in Baguio City are an eyesore.

Most of these cables are no longer functional or in use.

Unfortunately, they pose risks to vehicles and motorcycles passing by, potentially causing accidents.

“Some of the cables are hanging, so some of our riders get caught in them. Some avoid them, while others just tie them to the side to keep them off the road,” said Alvin Gabayni, a food delivery rider.

This problem has also extended to other barangays in the city.

Punong Barangay Carol Domogan of Barangay Dominican Mirador, Baguio City, stated, “This issue, actually, we were hoping it would be addressed last year. It’s January 2025 now, but nothing has happened yet since the mayor set the timeframe.”

According to the city government, efforts to remove these cables are ongoing.

This is despite the lack of cooperation from some owners, such as telecommunication companies, whose cables are no longer functional.

Daryll Kim Longid, Chief of the Public Order and Safety Division (POSD), mentioned, “This effort we are making is actually a favor to them because this is supposed to be their job. The city had to take over and take the lead. Otherwise, the problem will worsen. We are starting from the Central Business District (CBD) since that’s where most of the tangled cables are. We are currently working in Legarda at the moment.”

While assistance from barangay personnel would be ideal:

“It’s just basically for the city government’s POSD. We have a dedicated team assigned for this task. We have seven people on our team working Mondays through Fridays, It’s a team of seven from POSD,” Longid added.

The agency assures that they will continue removing cables that are hanging, tangled, or obstructing roads to ensure safety, not just for motorists but also for residents who might become victims of electrocution or other accidents.