MORE Electric and Power Corp. of businessman Enrique Razon Jr. said Tuesday it connected its first customer to the underground distribution system (UDS) in Iloilo City to advance urban electric power distribution.
This marked a historic milestone not just for MORE Power but for the entire Iloilo City community.
MORE Power president and chief executive Roel Castro said in a statement the company’s “vision for a modernized and resilient power distribution system [is] becoming a reality.”
Th connection was made at 2 p.m. of Oct. 26, 2024, with the Intensity Fitness Gym, located on JM Basa Street, becoming the first recipient of the innovative energy solution.
The connection involved a series of checks and tests to ensure the system was functioning correctly and safely.
MORE Power engineers did not find any irregularities from the customer following the energization, a promising indication of the system’s reliability.
“The successful connection of the Intensity Fitness Gym to our Underground Distribution System in Calle Real is just the beginning of continuing connections and energization of consumers in the area,” Castro said.
He said investing in underground infrastructure is a testament to MORE Power’s 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,” he said.
The UDS project is a multi-phased undertaking launched in mid-2023.
MORE Power and the Iloilo City government teamed up for the P96-million project to transfer the overhead electrical lines of a 1-kilometer stretch of Iloilo City’s historic 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 utilized horizontal directional drilling (HDD), a cutting-edge method for installing underground utilities and plumbing; the UDS project stands apart from traditional methods by eliminating the need for open trenches.
This 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.
“This pioneering project, led by MORE Electric and Power Corporation in collaboration with telcos and cable TV providers, is gradually transforming Iloilo City’s visual landscape. By moving overhead wires underground, we aim to eliminate the unsightly ‘spaghetti’ of tangled wires, particularly in areas like Calle Real and our heritage plazas,” Iloilo City Mayor Jerry Trenas said.
“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,” he said.
