“All change is hard at first, messy in the middle and gorgeous at the end.” – Robins Sharma
The menace of power outages caused by animal intrusion, the annual concern of balloons slipping away during the Dinagyang Festival, and the need for regular trimming of trees along J. M. Basa Street will be a thing of the past. It is because MORE Power Iloilo will embark on an ambitious infrastructure project known as Underground Distribution System (UDS) Project.
A remarkable development for the residents and stakeholders of Iloilo City, it promises to revolutionize the electrical facilities in the area and bring forth a safer and more robust electrical infrastructure. The project will be completed within 240 days or 8 months.
The UDS project will encompass three critical phases. Phase 1 will entail civil works, which represents the most challenging aspect of project execution, while Phase 2 will focus on electrical works, involving cable laying and termination, and Phase 3 will culminate in the removal of existing overhead lines and structures. After the completion of Phase 3, the true beauty and effectiveness of the UDS project will be fully realized.
The UDS Project will be divided into three distinct sections. It will commence with Section 1, from 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 will span a total length close to 1 kilometer.
Departing from its conventional open trenching excavation methods, MORE Power Iloilo have 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 will ensure a high-quality and efficient implementation of the UDS project.
While acknowledging the complexity of this venture, Iloilo City’s lone distribution utility is confident in its ability to deliver within the projected timeline of 240 days. It is supported by a team of experts and the unwavering commitment of the Iloilo City Government. It also extends its gratitude to its esteemed partners, particularly the Public Utilities Group in Iloilo (PUGI).
As MORE Power Iloilo embarks on this transformative journey, it invites all stakeholders to join it in celebrating a future free from the constraints of periodic tree trimming, animal intrusions, and the associated risks. Together, Ilonggos are poised to witness the realization of a safer, more reliable, and aesthetically pleasing electrical infrastructure along J.M. Basa Street, which is also known as Calle Real. (Photos by Jade Dequiña)