The City Government of Davao, in partnership with the Davao Light and Power Company (DLPC), on Tuesday held a groundbreaking ceremony on Magsaysay Avenue signalling the official start of the third phase of the underground cabling project.
The first phase of the project was the underground cabling around City Hall. The second phase covered the 600-meter stretch of power lines on San Pedro Street which went online in February this year.
The third phase covers the almost two-kilometer stretch of underground cables and the removal of overhead wires on Magsaysay Avenue and the surrounding streets of Chinatown.
Tuesday’s groundbreaking ceremony was attended by city officials led by Acting City Administrator Atty. Francis Mark Layog, DLPC President Rodger Velasco and other DLPC executives, and stakeholders.
Velasco said the road work in Chinatown will be divided into two segments to minimize traffic congestion.
The first segment is set to be completed in the first quarter of 2024 while the second will be finished in the first quarter the following year.
The work on Magsaysay Avenue has already started, Velasco said, and is now seven percent along the way.
He added that the project committee had coordinated with the businesses that will be affected by the roadwork along Chinatown through a series of conferences with the Chinatown Business Council.
Velasco asked the general public, especially drivers, commuters, and other stakeholders for their patience and understanding as work along the busy thoroughfare begins.
āAng amoa lang gyud ma-promise sa public is kanang pinaka-least inconvenience. Dili ta ka-promise na wa gyud because there will be (What we can promise the public is the very least inconvenience. We cannot promise that there will be none),ā he said.
Velasco further assured the public that the DLPC is closely coordinating with the city government and the City Transport and Traffic and Management Office to minimize impediments to mobility around the area.
After the completion of the third phase in 2025, the next phase of the project will be on Ponciano Street. This will be followed by another phase along Quirino Avenue. CIO
