Iloilo City, long celebrated for its rich heritage and historic charm, is now reaping the benefits of a groundbreaking urban initiative that blends preservation with progress. Through the Underground Cabling Project—anchored in the city’s heritage zone of Calle Real—the skyline has begun to clear, revealing the elegant facades of early 20th-century buildings once hidden behind a tangle of overhead wires.
This remarkable transformation didn’t happen overnight. At the heart of this ambitious undertaking is Councilor Romel Duron, whose visionary leadership and legislative acumen laid the groundwork for one of the city’s most important urban renewal projects in recent years.
In March 2023, the Iloilo City Council passed Regulation Ordinance No. 2023-006, authored by Councilor Duron. The ordinance mandates all utility providers—electric, telecom, cable, and internet—to relocate overhead wires underground in designated heritage areas, public plazas, and key city thoroughfares.
“Messy overhead wires are more than just an eyesore,” Councilor Duron remarked in an interview. “They pose safety risks, diminish the beauty of our heritage sites, and hinder tourism. This ordinance is our commitment to a safer, cleaner, and more beautiful Iloilo.”
The law gave utility companies a 240-day compliance window. It also enforced penalties for non-compliance, a move that emphasized the city’s seriousness in pushing the modernization agenda.
Calle Real: A Symbol of Heritage and Hope
The centerpiece of this initiative is Calle Real, the historic J.M. Basa Street in the heart of Iloilo’s downtown district. Known for its preserved Art Deco and Neo-Classical buildings, the area has long been a favorite among history buffs, tourists, and photographers. Yet, for years, the beauty of Calle Real was marred by the “spaghetti wires” that dangled from post to post.
Enter MORE Electric and Power Corporation (MORE Power), the city’s electric utility distributor, which spearheaded the Calle Real Underground Distribution System (UDS). The project involves burying power lines beneath the road using Horizontal Directional Drilling (HDD) technology—an advanced, minimally disruptive technique that allows underground conduits to be installed without extensive digging.
According to MORE Power President and CEO Roel Castro, the project was meticulously planned and executed in coordination with the city government and other utility companies. “We knew this was going to be a challenging task,” Castro said. “But this is a legacy project. We are not just providing power; we are shaping the future of Iloilo City.”
By December 2024, civil works for the 1-kilometer underground cabling stretch along Calle Real had been completed. Electrical infrastructure was already 70% in place, and by January 2025, poles were being dismantled, ushering in a revitalized cityscape.
Mayor Jerry P. Treñas praised the project, saying, “By moving our power lines underground, we are embracing a new era of progress and addressing the challenges that come with urban development. This project aligns with our commitment to ensuring a secure environment for all. Furthermore, this will maximize the beauty of our ‘jewels’, the heritage structures in Calle Real.”
A Collaboration for a Cleaner Future
The success of the project is a testament to the collaborative spirit of Iloilo. In addition to MORE Power, telecommunication giants such as PLDT, Globe, and DITO, along with cable providers and internet service companies, coordinated efforts to synchronize cabling schedules and trench usage, minimizing disruption and cost.
Construction was mostly done during off-peak hours to reduce traffic congestion, with careful planning around the busy commercial zones of the city. Moreover, heritage advocates and local historians were consulted to ensure that heritage structures were preserved and not harmed during the works.
Beyond Calle Real: A City-Wide Vision
Though Calle Real is the first to benefit from underground cabling, the vision doesn’t end there. Other areas such as the Iloilo City Proper plaza complex, heritage sites in Molo and Jaro, and major roads like Diversion Road and General Luna Street are also on the roadmap for future implementation.
Councilor Duron has expressed optimism that the ordinance will be a blueprint for other cities in the Philippines seeking to modernize without losing cultural identity. “Urban development doesn’t mean we erase the past,” he said. “It means we honor it while building something even better.”
The Underground Cabling Project in Iloilo City is more than just a utility upgrade—it’s a symbol of thoughtful progress. Through the leadership of Councilor Romel Duron and the technical expertise of MORE Power and its partners, Iloilo City is becoming a model of urban innovation grounded in cultural pride.
As the last of the overhead wires come down along Calle Real, a clearer sky greets residents and visitors alike—one that reflects the city’s bright, grounded, and heritage-driven future.
