Davao power utility shifts to underground cables

Aboitiz-led Davao Light & Power Co. (DLPC) has completed the second phase of its underground cabling project in Davao City that will help mitigate fire hazards and other safety risks, it said on Wednesday.

In a statement, DLPC said the second phase covered 600 meters of San Pedro Street and Quirino Avenue, and involved the removal of overhead lines and 50 poles.

It added that the project, which began construction in 2018, would strengthen the resilience and reliability of the company’s power distribution network.

“Another long-term impact of underground cabling is the lesser incidence of emergency power interruptions, as well as the mitigation of fire hazards, accidents and safety risks, since electric wires are now placed underground,” DLPC said.

The third phase covering the Philippine Post Office and other establishments is expected to be completed in the first quarter of 2024.

DLPC noted that the Department of Public Works and Highways was aiming to replicate the underground cabling project in Metro Manila, with pilot feasibility studies ongoing for possible implementation along Edsa and Katipunan Avenue Extension in Quezon City.

The local government of Davao mandated DLPC and telecommunication companies to implement underground cabling to help lessen power outages caused by typhoons.

DLPC currently services more than 470,000 customers in Davao and Panabo cities, and the municipalities of Carmen, Braulio Dujali and Santo Tomas in Davao del Norte province. INQ