CEBU City’s pilot underground cable installation project at the South Road Properties (SRP) has reached the two-kilometer mark, a 300 percent increase from the 500 meters reported last week.
Mayor Raymond Alvin Garcia announced the development in a Facebook post on Saturday, May 3. The project, launched in March, is in accordance with City Ordinance 2750, which mandates the installation of utility, power, television and telecommunications cables underground within the city’s jurisdiction.
The pilot project covers the SRP and the heritage district in downtown Cebu City.
At the SRP, work is being carried out in two phases, covering a total of 22 kilometers. In the heritage district, cables will be buried underground in the area surrounding Plaza Sugbu, City Hall and the Basilica Minore del Sto. Niño.
The downtown area was prioritized due to the prevalence of overhead wires and its historical importance.
The pilot project began on March 3 and was initially expected to be completed by the end of April, according to Neil Bongon, director of the planning department of contractor Fibernet Konstrukt Corp.
Councilor Jerry Guardo said the pilot initiative will serve as proof of concept. If successful, the project will expand to other major city roads, including Natalio Bacalso St., Osmeña Blvd. extending to Talamban, and P. del Rosario St. up to M.J. Cuenco Ave. in Mabolo.
Guardo, who is serving his final term on the City Council, earlier said he would pass the project’s management to Councilor Edgardo “Jaypee” Labella II, chairman of the committee on information, communication and technology. / JPS