Cagayan de Oro: National government agencies and the Cagayan de Oro (CDO) City government have partnered with Globe Telecom to prevent fiber cable cuts linked to roadworks in Region 10 (Northern Mindanao).

According to Philippines News Agency, an inter-agency task force led by CDO Mayor Rolando Uy, the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC), and the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) will ensure that fiber cables are not damaged during diggings and other road-related works. The collaboration was prompted by a spate of inadvertent fiber cuts due to diggings and other roadworks, with a total of 54 cases recorded in CDO from January to the end of December 2024, the most in all of Northern Mindanao.

Joel Agustin, Globe's head of service planning and engineering, emphasized the importance of collaboration in preventing downtimes caused by factors outside the scope of telco providers. He stated, "With connectivity now a basic necessity, we must work together towards preventing downtimes."

NTC-Region 10 Director Teodoro Buenavista Jr. highlighted that the task force will lead to faster coordination among its members, aiming to ensure that road work plans consider underground and aerial cables to prevent fiber cuts. "These unintentional yet highly disruptive fiber cuts are easily preventable through a simple solution: Talking to each other," Buenavista said.

DPWH Region 10 Director Lilibeth Aparecio has instructed district engineers to coordinate with the task force. She noted that coordination with telecommunications companies like Globe has led to better planning, allowing contractors to know which areas to avoid during road repairs and other roadwork.

From January until March this year, Globe has recorded 14 fiber cuts, underscoring the need for continued vigilance and cooperation among all stakeholders involved in infrastructure development.