Lacson Street Project Nears Completion
BACOLOD - Bacolod City is moving closer to completing its first major underground cabling initiative, nearly two years after the project officially broke ground. The one-kilometer Underground Distribution System Project along Lacson Street is now about 85 percent complete, according to the latest overall progress report. Initiated by Negros Electric and Power Corp. (Negros Power), the project is designed to replace the existing network of overhead utility lines with underground facilities, creating a cleaner and more organized streetscape. The development is expected to serve as an important step in the modernization of Bacolod’s urban infrastructure.
Telecommunications Companies Support the Transition
The project has gained the cooperation of major telecommunications and internet companies, including Converge ICT Solutions, DITO Telecommunity, PLDT-Smart, and Globe Telecom. Their participation is expected to help ensure that communication and internet cables can be transferred underground alongside the electrical infrastructure. Bacolod City Lone District Rep. Alfredo Abelardo Benitez expressed appreciation for the cooperation, noting that coordination among the power provider and telecommunications companies is essential to completing the transition efficiently. Once the overhead networks are removed, the one-kilometer section is expected to have significantly fewer visible wires and utility posts.
A PHP79-Million Investment in Safer Infrastructure
The underground distribution project has a total cost of approximately PHP79 million, consisting of PHP43 million for civil and electrical works and PHP36 million for the reconfiguration and removal of overhead wires. Construction began in January 2025 following the project's November 2024 groundbreaking. Beyond improving the visual appearance of one of Bacolod's major roads, the project is intended to address safety concerns associated with exposed electrical and communication lines. Underground facilities can also help protect essential connections from certain weather-related damage, potentially contributing to more dependable services.
