MORE Electric and Power Corporation (MORE Power) has successfully connected its first customer to the Underground Distribution System (UDS) in Iloilo City.
The historic connection was made on October 26 with Intensity Fitness Gym on JM Basa Street, becoming the first recipient of this innovative energy solution.
The connection involved a series of checks and tests to ensure the system was functioning correctly and safely.
According to MORE Power engineers, no irregularities were reported from the customer following the energization, a promising indication of the system’s reliability.
The P96-million UDS project is a multi-phased undertaking launched last year. It aims 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.
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 approach 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.
Roel Z. Castro, MORE Power president and CEO, said the successful connection of the Intensity Fitness Gym to our UDS in Calle Real is just the beginning of continuing connections and energization of consumers in the area.
Investing in underground infrastructure, according to Castro, 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,” he said.
For City Mayor Jerry P. Treñas, the underground cabling is “a testament to our commitment to modernization, safety, and beautification, especially in Calle Real.”
“This effort goes beyond aesthetics; it reflects our goal of delivering improved, reliable, and efficient utility services to every Ilonggo family,” he said.
“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,” the mayor further said.
Meanwhile, Intensity Fitness Gym manager Erwin Ancino thanked MORE Power for the new system.
“Thank you MORE Power. We are happy to be the first customer to benefit from the UDS. This is much better because our lines are safer. The system is reliable and efficient, and we are confident it will provide us with an uninterrupted power supply,” he said.IMT
