By Mariela Angella Oladive
In a significant milestone for the city’s energy infrastructure, MORE Electric and Power Corporation (MORE Power) has successfully connected its first customer to the Underground Distribution System (UDS).
The connection was completed on October 26, 2024, at approximately 2 p.m., with Intensity Fitness Gym on JM Basa Street becoming the inaugural recipient of the modern energy solution.
The connection process involved thorough checks and testing to ensure the system’s safety and functionality.
MORE Power engineers reported no irregularities following the energization, confirming the system’s reliability.
The UDS project, which began in mid-2023, is a P96-million investment that aims to transfer overhead power lines in a 1-kilometer stretch of Iloilo City’s downtown area to an underground system.
The area includes Calle Real, the city’s historic business district, and extends through several key streets, including Arroyo, Aldeguer, Guanco, Mapa, Ortiz, and Rizal/Zamora, leading to Plaza Libertad.
MORE Power employed Horizontal Directional Drilling (HDD) technology, a method that allows the installation of underground utilities without the need for open trenches, minimizing disruptions to daily activities.
Construction work has been conducted during nighttime hours, from 7 p.m. to 7 a.m., to avoid traffic congestion.
MORE Power President and CEO Roel Z. Castro described the connection as a “historic milestone” for both the company and the Iloilo City community.
“We are proud to see our vision for a modernized and resilient power distribution system becoming a reality,” Castro said.
“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.”
He emphasized the company’s commitment to sustainability and innovation, noting that the underground infrastructure project represents a forward-looking approach to power distribution.
Iloilo City Mayor Jerry P. Treñas also highlighted the significance of the project for the city, particularly in its efforts to modernize while preserving its heritage.
“I am proud to announce that Iloilo City is the first in the Visayas to introduce LGU-DU initiated underground cabling—a testament to our commitment to modernization, safety, and beautification, especially in Calle Real,” Treñas said.
He added that the project, carried out in collaboration with telecom and cable TV providers, is transforming the city’s landscape by eliminating the “spaghetti” of tangled overhead wires.
Treñas emphasized that the UDS project is not only about aesthetics but also about improving utility services for residents.
“We envision a city where heritage, progress, and quality of life coexist harmoniously, and this project brings us closer to that vision,” he said.
Erwin Ancino, manager of Intensity Fitness Gym, expressed satisfaction with 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,” Ancino said.
The UDS project is part of Iloilo City’s broader initiative to modernize its infrastructure while preserving the charm of its historic districts.
As more consumers in the area are connected to the underground system, the city is setting a new standard for urban development in the region.
