LESS power interruptions are expected with the completion of Davao Light Power Corporation’s (DLPC) underground distribution system (UDS), a DLPC official said.
“Like for example, if we are experiencing like five times (power interruption) in a year, practically it will be one (power interruption) average in a year,” Rodger Velasco, DLPC president and chief operating officer (CEO), said Wednesday, December 19, in a media forum, adding that this will be around 80 percent less power interruptions from what is being experienced now.
“Because there’s no trees, no debris, no bird perching, no gecko crawling in our lines, and that’s how reliable it is,” Velasco added.
Velasco said the UDS is a five-phase project amounting to a total of P1 billion. Each phase measures around a kilometer stretch of underground power cabling system.
The UDS covers the following areas: C.M. Recto St., Magsaysay Avenue, Ponciano St., a portion of Bonifacio St., and the whole stretch of Quirino Avenue.
“We have already finished the pilot which covers around the (Davao) City Hall,” Velasco said, adding that this is in accordance with the city ordinance 1052-17 series of 2017.
Alpheo Jose Bolotaolo, Davao City Engineer’s Office engineer II, said the ordinance also includes telecommunication wires to be placed underground.
Velasco said there are 25 pole users whose lines will be part of DLPC’s UDS project.
“Definitely this includes major telecommunication players,” Velasco said.
“This is part of our development goal for the city. But we seek approval from our regulators. Our regulators include LGU of Davao City, and finally approved by the Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) as part of our CapEx (capital expenditure),” Velasco added.