ILOILO City – MORE Electric and Power Corporation (MORE Power) and the Iloilo City Government broke ground for an electricity underground distribution system (UDS) at the Sunburst Park on J.M. Basa Street, City Proper yesterday.
The P96.4-million project, which is expected to be completed in eight months, aims to eliminate above-ground power lines along J.M. Basa Street, including its heritage zone Calle Real.
In line with MORE Power’s commitment to support the projects of the city government, especially in the preservation of its culture and heritage, the underground cabling project also covers plaza complexes, Sen. Benigno S. Aquino Jr. Avenue, and all heritage properties in the city.
“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 very rich heritage, very rich culture that is actually seen in edifices, in monuments,” said MORE Power president and chief executive officer Roel Castro.
He added, “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.”
For Mayor Jerry P. Treñas, the project represents a significant milestone in the city’s journey towards a more sustainable and efficient energy distribution system.
“By moving our power lines underground, we are embracing a new era of progress and addressing the challenges that come with urban development,” Treñas stressed.
He noted that eliminating above-ground power lines will significantly reduce the risk of accidents caused by inclement weather, fallen trees, or other unforeseen circumstances.
“The safety of our citizens is of paramount importance, and this project aligns with our commitment to ensuring a secure environment for all. Furthermore, this will maximize the beauty of our structures in Calle Real,” said Treñas.
He further said the resilience of the city’s infrastructure will be greatly improved, providing uninterrupted power to homes, businesses, hospitals, and schools.
This reliability will also foster economic growth, attract new investments and create a favorable environment for businesses to thrive, said Treñas.
Castro, meanwhile, said consumers can expect their electricity rates to go up as a result of the multi-million-peso project but only by a minimal rate.
“But I think the value that this will give the city with more tourists coming, investors coming, in everybody praising the city, will offset whatever cost there will be,” Castro said.
Engr. Bailey del Castillo, MORE Power’s deputy head on Network Operations, explained that the UDS project encompasses three critical phases:
* Phase 1 entails civil works, which represents 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, said Del Castillo.
Divided into three distinct sections, the project commences with section 1 at the corner of Arroyo and J.M. Basa streets. Sections 2 and 3 will extend all the way up to Plaza Libertad, terminating at the corner of Zamora Street. This comprehensive endeavor spans a total length of close to one kilometer.
Del Castillo noted that in a departure from conventional open trenching excavation methods, MORE Power has partnered with Fibernet Konstrukt Corp (FKC), a world-class company specializing in sophisticated Horizontal Directional Drilling Construction for underground duct and cable installations. FKC’s expertise ensures a high quality and efficient implementation of the UDS project./PN
