THE City Government of Davao in partnership with Davao Light and Power Co. Inc., together with their partner internet, cable, and telecommunications companies, conducted a groundbreaking ceremony for the underground cabling project at the Chinatown Arch in R. Magsaysay Ave. on Tuesday afternoon, July 18.
The groundbreaking ceremony marks the start of part two of the Davao underground cabling from Suazo Street down to the corner of Quezon Boulevard which is 700 meters. Aside from the excavation works, this will also include trenching and manhole installation and is targeted to be finished by the first quarter of 2024.
Under the provision of the City Ordinance No. 0152-17, Series of 2017, all of the telecommunication companies as well as Davao Light must convert all of the overhead lines to an underground system hence, the following collaborated to start this project: City Mayor’s Office, City Administrator's Office, City Transport and Traffic Management Office, City Engineer's Office, Public Safety and Security Command Center, Davao Light, Department of Public Works and Highways-Davao Region, Davao City Water District, Globe Telecom, PLDT SMART, Sky Cable Corporation, Dctech Micro Services Incorporated, Converge ICT Solutions Inc., Dito Telecommunity.
Although the goal of this project is to create safer roads and fewer power interruptions in the city many people are concerned with the traffic congestion that will ensue once excavation starts.
“Ang amoa ra jud ma promise sa public kay ang pinaka-least incovenience, we cannot promise na wala jud kay there will be, ang amoa lang jud kay close coordination with the LGU and the traffic management, so ang work namo diri kay gabii lang, sa buntag amoa na siyang tabunan (The only thing that we can promise to the public is the least inconvenience, we cannot promise that there will be none because there will be, but we will have a close coordination with the LGU and the traffic management, so the process is that we will work at night and in the morning we will cover it),” Davao Light President and Chief Operating Officer Rodger Velasco.
“As we work to complete this project, we are once again asking for the support of Dabawenyos regarding the possible traffic congestion in the area. Trust that we are doing all that we can to lessen the inconvenience experienced by commuters by conducting the major works during night time,” said Senior Vice President of the Aboitiz Power Distribution Group Anton Mari Perdices.
Meanwhile, the first cabling project, which is done from the Philippine Post Office to Suazo street, is 56 percent complete and its electrical work is underway. (RGP)