Davao City's Underground Cabling Project Enhances Safety, Aesthetics, And Business Development

Davao City, dubbed the King City of the South, is leading the way anew in a major transformation that involves an underground cabling project, set to be finished by the first quarter of next year, that will improve the aesthetics of the bustling metropolis and enhance the quality of life of its residents.

Photo Insert: (Above) The future is now: Davao City Mayor Sebastian Duterte leads the Switch-on Ceremony for the revolutionary Underground Cabling Project. Joining him are key stakeholders (L-R) PLDT Senior Manager Melvin Lacuna, Davao City Vice Mayor Jay Melchor Quitain, Jr., AboitizPower Head of Corporate Services Jokin Aboitiz, Davao Light President and COO Rodger Velasco, Davao City Acting City Administrator Francis Mark Layog, Davao OIC Joseph Dominic Felizarta, and Globe Specialist James Lopez. With this groundbreaking project, Davao City has taken a bold step towards a cleaner and safer urban environment, and is setting an example for other cities to follow.

The city has just completed the second phase of its three-phase underground cabling project, a rare feat in the Philippines, with the remarkable change already evident in the city's skyline, infrastructure, and services, making it more attractive to tourists and investors alike.

The first phase covered C.M. Recto Street, while the second phase comprised 0.6 kilometers of San Pedro Street.

The third phase, covering R. Magsaysay Avenue, C. Bangoy Street, Pelayo Street, Bonifacio Street, and Quirino Avenue, is expected to be completed by the first quarter of next year.

The removal of power lines, distribution transformers, and poles has not only improved the visual appeal of the city but has also made the streets safer for motorists and commuters, stabilized power and telecommunications services, and prevented power pilferage, or electricity theft.

The underground cabling project is a remarkable achievement that harnesses innovation to maximize the health, safety, and economic development of businesses and communities in Davao City, making it a model for other cities in the Philippines.

Jesse Pizarro Boga, a writer and resident of C.M. Recto Street is one of the many people who have experienced the difference that underground cabling has made in their lives.

"Underground cabling brings a feeling of order to the often busy and chaotic downtown street. It gives residents some kind of assurance that service and service provider lines are organized and will be resilient even on challenging days,” Jesse said.

In addition to his initial satisfaction with the project, Jesse further added, “We don't have to worry about disruptions caused [by] cable damage during extreme weather situations. And there's some beauty in it — the kind that makes city life more liveable.”

The project, a collaboration between the local government unit of Davao City, Aboitiz Power Corporation (AboitizPower), distribution utility subsidiary Davao Light & Power Company, Inc. (Davao Light), and project partners from telecommunications, cable, and internet companies, has been praised by Davao City Mayor Sebastian “Baste” Z. Duterte for paving the way for more sustainable development around the Central Business District.

"This project is a new addition to the many things that other LGUs visit [Davao] city for, for benchmarking purposes," said Duterte.

The president of the Davao City Chamber of Commerce and Industry Inc. John Carlo B. Tria believes that the underground cabling project will enable a safer and more pleasant business environment.

"I think the underground cabling project will enable a safer and more pleasant business environment, especially for the establishments in the area,” Tria shared. With the absence of unruly overhead wires and invasive poles, visual improvement is more apparent, and walkways become more spacious.

Furthermore, the project has long-term benefits, such as the lesser incidence of emergency power interruptions and the mitigation of fire hazards, accidents, and safety risks since electric wires are now placed underground.

This will improve customer service and strengthen the resilience and reliability of Davao Light’s power distribution network.

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