Davao, Cebu go wire-free with underground cabling

Several Davao and Cebu City streets have become wire-free with underground cabling projects.

According to a report by Tina Panganiban-Perez on "24 Oras," the streets of Magallanes, C.M. Recto, and San Pedro in Davao City are now wire-free as the ceremonial switch-on signaled that Phase 2 of the city's underground cabling project is 100% complete.

“Salamat kaayo sa inyong effort in making this city look cleaner and safer in terms of sa kaning mga wirings nato para mga tao,” Davao City Mayor Sebastian “Baste” Duterte said.

The underground cabling has also been implemented in some parts of Cebu City.

The Department of Energy (DOE) said it could also be done elsewhere in the country as long as it is ensured that the cables will not be flooded.

“Doable yan kahit saang part ng bansa as long as maganda ang flood control na sistema. Kasi ang problema sa underground, pagka nagkaroon ng floods, baka magkaroon ng mga faults yung ating power system,” said DOE Undersecretary Rowena Guevara.

She said when the cables are underground, it will prevent jumpers, and the service will also be continuous even when there is a storm. However, DOE noted that it would cost a lot to implement it nationwide.

“Usually mas mahal pag nag-build ka underground. You dig lots of tunnels kasi kailangang kasya yung tao para mag-maintain and operate niyan,” said Guevara.

"Ang atin kasing distribution utilities are private in the Philippines, so it's going to be private sector driven," she added.

Currently, several bills are pending in Congress to untangle electric cables and telecommunications, among others.—Sherylin Untalan/LDF, GMA Integrated News