THE Davao Light and Power Company (Davao Light) officially switched on Phase 1 of the Ramon Magsaysay Avenue Underground Cabling Project in a ceremony held Monday afternoon.
Councilor Louie John Bonguyan, chair of the City Council’s Committee on Energy and Water, hailed the milestone as a success, made possible through strong collaboration between Davao Light, the local government, and the private sector.
“We did it again—this is the third street we’ve completed with underground cabling. As the LGU and the energy committee, we’re very happy with this one,” he said in a media interview on Monday, April 14, 2025.
He said that the project not only improves the visual appeal of Magsaysay Avenue but also enhances public safety by eliminating the usual tangle of overhead wires, often referred to as “spaghetti wires.”
He also looked forward to the completion of the second phase of the Magsaysay Avenue project.
Davao Light President and COO Enriczar Tia confirmed that Phase 2 of the project is already in progress and is expected to be completed by December 2025. It will extend from the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (Bfar) Office to the Unity Archway at the junction of Magsaysay Avenue and Quezon Boulevard.
Future phases will continue along C. Bangoy Street (formerly Ponciano Reyes Street) and eventually reach Quirino Avenue.
Enriczar Tia, President and COO of Davao Light confirmed that Phase 2 of the underground cabling along Magsaysay Avenue is already underway and is expected to be completed by December this year.
Bonguyan expressed gratitude to local store owners for their patience during the excavation works. He said the inconvenience was temporary, but the benefits—a cleaner and safer street—are long-lasting.
Tia noted that the team encountered minimal issues during excavation, thanks to close coordination with the Davao City Chinatown Development Council. A Technical Working Group, led by the City Engineer’s Office and supported by telecom companies and other stakeholders, helped ensure smooth implementation.
“Whatever complaints sa mga business people diri dali lang kaayo natu ma address. That is something na naging efficient ta diri (Any complaints from business owners were quickly addressed. We’ve become quite efficient in handling these concerns),” Tia added.
Steve Arquiza, private sector representative of the Davao City Chinatown Development Council, acknowledged initial concerns from some establishment owners but praised Davao Light for responding quickly.
“Nagpasalamat me sa community for extending their patience and to make sure nga hapsay ang pag implement ani nga project (We thank the community for their patience and for helping ensure the smooth rollout of this project),” he said.
Arquiza also highlighted the positive outlook for the area, noting that Magsaysay Avenue is not only a bustling business zone but also a potential tourism hotspot. With unsightly wires removed, plans are in place to hang Chinese lanterns and festive lighting for Chinese New Year celebrations.
Since the launch of Davao’s underground cabling initiative, several LGUs from Metro Manila and the Ilocos Region have visited the city to learn from the project and consider implementing similar efforts in their areas.
This ongoing initiative is rooted in City Ordinance No. 0177-14, authored in 2014 by the late Councilor Leonardo Avila. The ordinance mandates the relocation of electrical and telecommunications wires underground as part of the city’s broader push for modernization. The first implementation phase began in 2016 near City Hall and the Sangguniang Panlungsod. RGP