Solon wants control over street diggings

Charges, permits sought from firms doing lines repair, etc.

TO ENSURE public safety, a Mandaue City councilor wants the City to regulate street diggings and installations of overhead and underground utility lines.

Councilor Jimmy Lumapas, chair of the committee on public works and infrastructure, has proposed an ordinance that seeks to minimize the hazards and inconveniences caused by road diggings, installation of service lines and similar activities.

The ordinance will cover construction, improvement or rehabilitation of roads, bridges, communication facilities, irrigation, flood control and drainage, water supply and sewerage system and other infrastructure projects.

Under the proposed measure, any person or firm should get a permit from the Office of the Building Official (OBO) before doing any excavation or installation of service lines.

Fines

Violators will pay a fine of P2,500 for the first offense and P3,500 for the second offense. For the third offense, violators will pay P5,000, and the City will cancel the business permit.

The OBO’s technical infrastructure committee will charge P250 for the permit to excavate and install overhead or underground utility lines, and P100 for the permit to dig.

A business permit will also be required, except for individuals who will undertake simple diggings and installation of service lines within their household premises.

Any applicant should also submit to the OBO the names of the personnel who will undertake the activity, work schedule, environmental impact assessment report, among other requirements.

A performance bond should be deposited at the City Treasurer’s Office to guarantee compliance of the restoration of works. The amount will be determined by the OBO technical infrastructure committee.

The applicant must also furnish the Traffic Enforcement Agency of Mandaue City a copy of the permit.

At the work site, the firm should put early warning devices, blinkers or safety signs. Barriers should also be placed for the safety of motorists and pedestrians.

Diggings and excavations should be done only between 8 p.m. to 6 a.m., except for emergency repairs of leaking water pipes.

Height

Under the proposed ordinance, no overhead utility lines should be placed below 14 feet from the level of the road.

Except for water utility firms that may undertake repair of pipes, no excavation or installation service lines will be allowed on roads leading to malls, hotels, beaches, cemeteries and churches during Holy Week; from Oc. 29 to Nov. 3; from Dec. 16 until the end of Fiesta Señor in January; and other dates as may be proclaimed by the Mandaue City and the National Government.