CEBU, Philippines — The Visayan Electric Company (VECO) plans to again sit down with the Cebu City government to identify other areas of priority for its underground distribution system (UDS).
This is to prepare the Aboitiz-led electric distribution company to pinpoint which areas that will be targeted for after it completes the entire Fuente Osmeña Circle to P. Del Rosario Street, and the South Road Properties (SRP) areas.
VECO chief operating officer (COO) Anton Perdices said that the company will depend on the City government's decision on which areas will be prioritized for the underground cabling project that targets to be implemented in the entire Cebu City in the next years.
Yesterday, VECO announced the completion of its Phase 1B UDS project, at the same time started its Phase2 works.
The underground cabling is in answer to Cebu City ordinance 1894, approved on April 25, 2001, which seeks to get rid of the unsightly (spaghetti-like) wires along city roads.
Initially, VECO poured P217 million for Phases 1 and 2 constructions, and it looks at spending more or less the same amount as it continues the works for phases 3 and 4.
The Phase 1B of the UDS project was completed in February 28 this year but it was only on the second week of September that the overhead wires and poles were completely removed.
The P65 million project is a 1100-meter underground cabling project spanning from the Fuente Osmeña Circle to the corner of P., del Rosario Street. This is expected to be completed by 2018.
According to Perdices, VECO is also looking at Banilad-Talamban stretch (BanTal), but it still has several challenges that need to be addressed by the government.
The VECO UDS project consists of six phases and covers the Sinulog Grand Parade route, as previously agreed with the Cebu City government.
Phase 3 will cover Imus Avenue from the corner of Sikatuna Street to the corner of Gen. Maxilom Avenue, which is 890 meters.
Phase 4 covers Gen. Maxilom Avenue, from the corner of Imus Avenue corner Echavez Street, a 380 meters stretch. Phase 5 is Gen. Maxilom Avenue, from corner Echavez Street to corner D. Jakosalem street, a 500 meters long. While Phase 6 will work on Gen. Maxilom Avenue, from corner Jakosalem Street corner F. Ramos Street, which is 630 meters.
Aside from the aesthetics, the UDS program makes he VECO distribution system more reliable because electricity trip offs caused by trees, strong winds and lightning will no longer be a problem, said the company's Power Systems Design Department manager, Armil Logarta.
Moreover, the absence of overhead wires will likewise increase the economic value of the area, added Logarta. (FREEMAN)