Baguio firms, CEO told: Coordinate on diggings

By Dexter See and Kimberly Badang

BAGUIO CITY -- The City Council urged public and private utility companies conducting digging, excavation, unearthing and drilling activities along the roads, alleys, passage ways and sidewalks in the city to strictly coordinate with the City Engineering Office prior to and upon completion of their activities to synchronize activities.
    In a resolution, local legislators stated it has been observed that in certain areas around the city, digging by a public utility company is done, then after three weeks, the same area is being dug up again by another public utility company, thus, the need for proper and strict coordination and monitoring of the said activities with the CEO to assure compliance of the contractors with the prescribed condition of the permit issued and for the safety and convenience of the general public and stakeholders.
     The council said it is important such activities that tend to compromise safety and convenience of the public be addressed with concerned government agencies.
    The body said conditions of permit issued to the public and private utility companies doing digging activities in the city were not complied with by some of their contractors.
     One of the most complained by people was soil and debris laid close to the excavated site actually pose danger, obstruction, and inconveniences to the public that warrants immediate and appropriate action from concerned government agencies, the city government and more importantly, the contractor assigned to do such work.
     The council said numerous digging, excavation, drilling and unearthing activities are being conducted by public and private utility companies along roads, alleys, passage ways and sidewalks in the city and pose danger to the safety of the motoring and commuting public.
    The council said activities were covered by an excavation permit issued by the CEO and among the general conditions for the granting of an excavation permit is the responsibility of the contractor for the safety, protection, security and convenience of the general public during the conduct of the said activities and all waste and materials from the project should be properly disposed of.
     Moreover, the permit also requires contractors to restore the excavated or dug up area to its original state aside from the putting in place appropriate warning signs to guide the motoring and commuting public on what to do when approaching the excavation sites in the city.
    Copies of the approved resolution will be transmitted to the different private and public utility companies operating in the city to ensure their utmost compliance to the aforesaid request for the establishment of harmonious working relationship among the concerned government agencies, the city government and the private sector that are mostly implementing such kind of projects around the city and the barangays.
    In 2020, Councilor Maria Mylen Victoria Yaranon also authored a resolution requiring telecommunication companies in Baguio to submit existing and proposed underground fiber-optic cabling plan within the city’s territory to the City Planning and Development Office for review, recommendation, and proper coordination with the city council.
    The resolution stated that there is a need for both the CPDO and the city council to be informed and acquainted with companies operating within the city to formulate policies for balanced technological advancement and public convenience.