Underground cabling facility eyed in Cebu City

CEBU, Philippines —  A joint venture agreement between the Cebu City government and a private entity is currently under discussion for the implementation of an underground cabling facility for power and telcos here beginning at the South Road Properties as model.

City Councilor Jerry Guardo, chairman of the Technical Infrastructure Committee, told The Freeman that there is an existing ordinance authored by Councilor Nestor Archival two decades ago regarding the establishment of underground cables, but this has not been fully implemented.

“Wala siya ma-successful, wala ma-implement kay nakita nako na loophole, kompetensya man gud ni sila (telcos). Whether you like it or not, iya-iya jud silag kawt kay direct competitor man sila… Ang VECO naka-underground na kay separate man sila kay you cannot combine electric wiring sa mga telcos kay sunugon unya nang wiring nila sa ilawm,“ said Guardo.

Aside from that, Guardo said it will also cause a lot of inconvenience if all telcos dig their own UCF, not to mention the funds that a company has to shell out for an upgrade on wirings.

The implementation of underground cabling for telcos and electricity was brought up again following the massive destruction caused by typhoon Odette in the City of Cebu last December 16, 2022.

Guardo said he has already come up with a proposal for the city government to have a unified underground facility through a joint venture agreement.

“Why don’t we come up with a unified underground cabling facility? It should be the city government or the city government who will look for an investor nga maoy mo-fund sa project,” Guardo said.

“If naay investor, it will be at no cost to the city government, unya ang investor nay maningil sa mga telcos,” he added.

The Freeman learned that a private company has already sent feelers to the expressing interest in going into a joint venture regarding UCF.

The city can start the implementation of this at the SRP as the proposed resolution states.

Guardo said they already have a design for it — a conduit pipe is already in place with some pipes reserved for future new players. — JMD (FREEMAN)