ILOILO CITY (PIA6) — The start of the underground cabling in Iloilo City has already improved the view of the heritage zone in the metro, particularly along the J.M. Basa Street, known as “Escolta of Iloilo” where some of the city’s neoclassical and beaux-arts-inspired buildings are located.
Earlier this week, Iloilo City’s lone power distributor, MORE Electric and Power Corp., started the removal of spaghetti or tangled overhead wires and cables on the said area, which is just part of its P96.4-million underground cabling project.
It is noted that in January 2023, the Iloilo City Council approved an ordinance mandating all public electric utility companies, telecommunication carriers, and other similar entities to place underground all electrical and telecommunication wires and cables.
This measure aims to “to promote and popularize the nation’s historical and cultural heritage and resources in Iloilo City and ensure the safety of the people.”
MORE Power said that the underground cabling in the downtown area of the city is well within its schedule, with a completion date of June 2024.
Engr. Armil Logarta, Project Development and Management head of MORE Power, said the Underground Distribution Services (UDS) project along JM Basa Street is advancing rapidly, citing that the civil works, which are 35% of the project and include dredging and drilling activities, are well underway.
The UDS covers a 1-kilometer stretch of Iloilo City’s historic business district,
including the heritage zone known as Calle Real – from the corner of Arroyo St. to J.M. Basa St., Aldeguer St., Guanco St., Mapa St., Ortiz St., until Rizal/Zamora St. (Burgos St.) and Plaza Libertad.
Logarta explained that the UDS project is composed of three phases, which involve intricate civil works (Phase 1); electrical works, covering cable laying and termination (Phase 2); and the removal of existing overhead lines and structures, unlocking the full potential of the UDS project (Phase 3).
Meanwhile, Engr. Bernard Bailey Del Castillo, MORE Power’s Senior Assistant Vice President for Network Operations, stressed that the UDS project will eliminate the risks of geckos, birds, and rats encroaching the overhead lines, ensuring a safer and more reliable electrical infrastructure, which will resolve power outages caused by animal intrusion.
MORE Power President and CEO Roel Castro, on the other hand, said the UDS project will help the local government unit preserve the cultural and heritage aspects of the community.
“I believe there are very few cities in the Philippines that can genuinely boast of having a rich heritage and culture, evident in the edifices and monuments scattered around the city. These structures serve as testaments to the city’s exceptionally rich cultural and historical legacy,” Castro said.
Iloilo City Mayor Jerry Treñas also said the removal of above-ground power lines will diminish the risk of accidents stemming from adverse weather conditions, fallen trees, and other unforeseen circumstances.
“This is the Iloilo we’ve always dreamt of – a city that’s not only progressive but also mindful of its cultural identity, as well as the order and safety of our city streets,” Treñas added. (AAL/JNH/PIA Iloilo)
