Accident waiting to happen: Inaction to black spaghetti wires irks Tulfo

Spaghetti wires are seen here being removed along San Juan street in Bacolod City in this file photo taken in July 2022, which is a similar issue to an area on Edsa that Senator Raffy Tulfo mentioned in his privilege speech in the Senate. (Photo courtesy of Ronnie Baldonado)

MANILA, Philippines — Spaghetti was served in the Senate on Wednesday, but it was far from the birthday party staple known to many.

In a privilege speech on Wednesday, Senator Raffy Tulfo was referring to black spaghetti wires. He defined these as “entangled, voluminous, and eyesore” cables posing real danger to Filipinos.

According to Tulfo, his attention was called after several complainants sought the help of his public service program after they got into an accident due to dangling spaghetti wires along Edsa.

“Four incidents involving just that particular area in Edsa and yet, kinailangan pa po nila pumunta sa aking programa para magsumbong,” he emphasized.

(Four incidents involving that particular area in Edsa and yet, they had to report and ask for my program’s help.)

Tulfo said these wires belong to the Philippine Global Communications Incorporated, but despite complaints from the victims, the agency allegedly refused to help.

“Ang sinabi: ‘Magsubmit kayo ng mga pictures at video para marefer namin sa aming legal at pag-aaralan.’ Pagkatapos po noon, aming tinatawagan ang Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA), [pero] ang sagot lang sa amin ay hindi daw nila jurisdiction yung nangyari,” Tulfo fumed.

(They were told to “submit pictures and videos so that we can refer to our legal and study.” After that, we called the MMDA, but the only answer we got was that what happened was not their jurisdiction.)

To stress that these wires are a clear hazard, Tulfo said these could cause terrible traffic, damage to property, damage to heritage sites, and possibly interrupt electricity and telecommunication.

“All these possible impending danger[s] and negative effects could be prevented, if people who are responsible would just stop looking the other way and pretend that these wires do not exist,” he underscored.

The lawmaker then wondered what causes the problem. Later in his speech, he said it seems that these wires are mostly from utility companies such as telecommunication companies, internet providers, and electricity distributors.

“These companies apply for permits to install these structures and attach these cables but there seems to be nobody actively regulating them.  Nobody is monitoring them. Once a wire is no longer in use, they just leave it there.  And new utility providers just keep on adding and adding.  Some would give an excuse that they cannot just remove the useless and abandoned wires because it’s not theirs,” Tulfo claimed.

With this, Tulfo said there should be a “continuous monitoring so that permits could be lifted” when companies are not complying.

He specifically pointed out that Philippine Global Communications Incorporated’s permit should be reviewed following the supposed complaints.

“There is a clear lack of accountability on the telcos and the government regulating agencies.  We have to determine whose liability is this —  the local government unit, Department of Public Work and Highways, the telcos, or electric distribution companies?,” he asked.

Tulfo’s privilege speech was later on referred to public works and energy panels for legislative probe.