The city is eyeing to make the one-kilometer stretch of its old business district along J.M. Basa Street, including its heritage zone Calle Real, much safer and pleasing to the eyes by hiding its power lines beneath the ground, officials here said Tuesday.

A groundbreaking ceremony for the PHP96.4 million Underground Distribution System (UDS) of the More Electric and Power Corporation was held on Tuesday to mark the start of the three-phase project that is expected to be completed in eight months.

MORE Power vice president for Network Development and Operations group Bailey Del Castillo, in his message, said that the project, which aims to eliminate above-ground power lines, will start at the corner of Arroyo and J. M. Basa Streets, and will extend all the way up to Plaza Libertad, and will end at the corner of Zamora Street.

It will make use of the horizontal directional drilling construction for underground duct and cable installations.

“Eight months from today, the electrical facilities in J. M. Basa Street will be much safer and more robust,” Del Castillo said.

Mayor Jerry Treñas, for his part, said that eliminating above-ground power lines will significantly reduce the risk of accidents caused by inclement weather, fallen trees, or other unforeseen circumstances.

“The safety of our citizens is of paramount importance, and this project aligns with our commitment to ensuring a secure environment for all” he said.

The mayor added that the project is expected to bring uninterrupted power to homes, businesses, hospitals, and schools. “This reliability will foster economic growth, attract new investments, and create a favorable environment for businesses to thrive,” he said.

MORE Power president Roel Castro said the project is part of their commitment to support the local government’s projects, especially in the preservation of its culture and heritage.

“I think there are only very few cities in the Philippines that could really proudly say that they have very rich heritage, very rich culture that is actually seen from the edifices, from the monuments around the city that are testaments that the city has very rich culture and heritage,” he said.

Castro said consumers can expect their electricity rates to go up as a result of the companies multi-million-peso project but only by a minimal rate.

“But I think the value that this will give the city with more tourists coming, investors coming, in everybody praising the city, I think it will be offset by whatever cost there will be,” Castro said. (PNA)