MORE Electric and Power Corp. (MORE Power) has successfully connected a new customer in its underground distribution system (UDS) in Iloilo City last Saturday.
The company said in a statement yesterday, Intensity Fitness Gym located on JM Basa street in the city was the first customer connected in the UDS after MORE Power has transferred existing power lines to underground in the said stretch of the city.
MORE Power’s UDS project is a multi-phased undertaking first launched in mid-2023.
The distribution utility and the Iloilo City government partnered for the P96 million project that will transfer the overhead electrical lines of a 1-kilometer stretch of Iloilo City’s business district, including the heritage zone known as Calle Real from the corner of Arroyo St. to Aldeguer St., Guanco St., Mapa St., Ortiz St., until Rizal/Zamora St. (Burgos St.) and Plaza Libertad.
MORE Power said it utilized horizontal directional drilling, a method for installing underground utilities and plumbing that eliminates the need for open trenches.
The company said that such approach also ensured minimal disruptions in the downtown area, with construction activities conducted from 7 p.m. to 7 a.m. to avoid traffic jams during the daytime.
“…The successful connection of the Intensity Fitness Gym to our UDS system in Calle Real is just the beginning of continuing connections and energization of consumers in the area. Investing in underground infrastructure is a testament to our commitment to innovation and sustainability. As we move forward, we will keep our customers informed and involved in the process, ensuring that our initiatives align with the community’s needs and aspirations,” said Roel Castro, MORE Power president and chief executive officer, in the statement.
Meanwhile, Iloilo City mayor Jerry Treñas, said the UDS system project was also made possible with the cooperation of telcos and cable TV providers to “gradually” transform the city’s visual landscape.
“…This effort goes beyond aesthetics; it reflects our goal of delivering improved, reliable, and efficient utility services to every Ilonggo family. With this underground distribution system, Iloilo City sets a new standard for urban development in the region. We envision a city where heritage, progress, and quality of life coexist harmoniously and this project brings us closer to that vision,” Treñas said.
