THE first half of the underground cabling along R. Magsaysay Avenue in Davao City is expected to be completed by the first quarter of 2024, according to Davao Light Power Corporation (DLPC) on Friday, February 24.
Fermin Edillion, reputation enhancement department manager, told SunStar Davao that the implementation of the project is on schedule. Around 44 percent is already complete, covering the civil works and the restoration of the roads and sidewalks.
“This project, we are just one of the implementors. It is still under the city government of Davao spearheaded by the City Engineers Office (CEO). All utility companies with overhead lines were mandated by the city government na ibutang sa ilalaim sa dalan (to transfer it underground). We are closely working with all of them because we have a technical working group,” Edillion said.
He added that during the construction, they were able to avoid causing traffic congestion since they operated at night. However, the constant rainy weather proved to be challenging since it affected the soil surrounding the site.
Despite that, Davao Light will continue onto the next phase to tackle the electrical works for the underground cabling as soon as possible.
The first half of the underground cabling project covers the Postal Office area going to R. Magsaysay Avenue corner Suazo Street while the second half, from corner Suazo Street to the end of the avenue, has not yet started.
Edillion said the second half of the project is still in the planning phase but they hope to start the construction by the third or fourth quarter of 2023 with a duration of another two years.
“Ginastioryahan na sa (It is being discussed by the) technical working group and the CEO. Nag submit na sila and kami og plan (We and the other companies have submitted our plan),” Edillion said.
Meanwhile, the installation of streetlights is the remaining component before the underground cabling along San Pedro Street is 100 percent finished. It is expected to be completed on or before March 2.
After the Magsaysay Avenue is completed, Edillion said the next target is C. Bangoy Street as mandated by the City Ordinance No. 0152-17. Davao Light also implemented the underground cabling along C. M. Recto Street.
“If you notice, kini siya ang mga dalan nga ginagamit sa (these are the roads we use during) Araw ng Dabaw and Kadayawan Festival, essentially mga main roads nato (our main roads),” Edillion said. ICM