A NEW dawn has risen for “I Am Iloilo City” and with it a new era of progress. What seems like a dream is now a reality. After almost a century Calle Real will finally be rid of those unsightly and very dangerous “spaghetti wires”.
All it took was the political will of Mayor Jerry Treñas and the unwavering commitment and support of MORE Power – plus a P96.4-million budget to do it.
Last Wednesday, MORE Power and the Iloilo City Government broke ground for an electricity underground distribution system (UDS) at Sunburst Park.
The P96.4-million project, to be completed in eight months, will eliminate above-ground power lines along J.M. Basa Street, including its heritage zone Calle Real. Just another one of MORE Power’s commitment to support the projects of the city government, in the preservation of its culture and heritage, this underground cabling project includes plaza complexes, the Sen. Benigno S. Aquino Jr. Avenue, and all heritage properties in the city.
According to MORE Power president Roel Castro, “This is really part and parcel of MORE Power’s commitment of its cultural and heritage value. I think there are only very few cities in the Philippines that could really proudly say they have a very rich heritage, very rich culture that is actually seen in edifices, in monuments. We are also really with you in this endeavor, in making Iloilo City not only a rich heritage city but also in making it a booming city.”
And Mayor Jerry Treñas replied: “By moving our power lines underground, we are embracing a new era of progress and addressing the challenges that come with urban development.”
As MORE Power’s deputy head on Network Operations, Engr. Bailey del Castillo, explained, the UDS project encompasses three critical phases:
* Phase 1 entails civil works, the most challenging aspect of project execution.
* Phase 2 focuses on electrical works, involving cable laying and termination.
* Phase 3 culminates in the removal of existing overhead lines and structures.
It is after the completion of Phase 3 that the true beauty and effectiveness of the UDS project will be fully realized.
To eliminate conventional open trenching excavation methods and to ensure high quality efficient implementation of the UDS project, MORE Power partnered with Fibernet Konstrukt Corp., a world-class company specializing in sophisticated Horizontal Directional Drilling Construction, for underground duct and cable installations.
Finally, let’s make sakay-sakay the e-bus as in let’s make tusok-tusok the ibus, an offshoot of that 1980s classic colegiala joke “let’s make tusok-tusok the fish ball.”
Ibus, of course, is that Filipino delicacy made of sticky rice best paired with ripe mangoes and muscuvado sugar.
Staying true to form in bringing more to the lives of the Ilonggos, MORE Power has brought to Iloilo City the first ever electric bus (e-bus).
MORE Power teamed up with supplier Global Electric Transport for the e-bus, giving Ilonggos an alternative means of transport.
Powered by a lithium-ion battery charged with electricity, the e-bus does not harm the environment because it has no smoke emission. It also does not contribute to noise pollution.
This is part of our sustainable objectives and since we are in the electric distribution business, we thought of bringing this e-bus in, according to MORE Power president/CEO Roel Castro.
Mayor Jerry Treñas was all smiles when he rode the bus, saying, “Thrilled to ride the eco-friendly e-bus of MORE Power. Let’s all do our part in reducing our carbon footprint and switch to sustainable transportation options.”
Fully air-conditioned, the e-bus could carry up to 20 passengers. When fully charged it could go as far as 100 kilometers. This year MORE Power will bring in 10 units.As part of their social responsibilities to introduce sustainable alternatives, MORE Power plans to partner with transport cooperatives in Iloilo City.
Aside from public transport, the e-bus could also serve as a shuttle service for employees working for the BPO companies in Iloilo City.
Indeed, a new era of progress for “I Am Iloilo City”./PN
