Innovative Manhole Reduces Road Closure From Weeks To 48 Hours

Davao City's Underground Cabling Project has achieved a remarkable feat, thanks to an innovative manhole design that has reduced road closures from weeks to just 48 hours.

Photo Insert: Innovating Infrastructure: Davao Light’s innovative manhole design helps reduce road closure from weeks to just 48 hours, paving the way for more sustainable development and enhancing the city's skyline.

The prefabricated manhole design, developed by Davao Light engineers, has significantly reduced the time required for the construction and installation of manholes, from four to six weeks down to just 48 hours.

This groundbreaking innovation not only saves time but also minimizes public inconvenience and reduces the cost of project implementation.

According to Engr. Leo Remulta, the project lead for Davao Light, "The prefabricated manhole is Davao Light's innovation to minimize public inconvenience and the cost and timeframe of project implementation."

The engineers construct the manhole in a separate, controlled area where the primary lines will go through, and then deliver it to the site for construction. Construction work takes place at night to mitigate the possibility of causing heavy traffic in the concerned areas.

Thanks to this innovation, all telecommunication companies, Davao Light, and other entities involved in the project have successfully switched from overhead lines to an underground system, with minimal disruption to the public.

This groundbreaking project, directed under City Ordinance No. 0152-17, Series of 2017, is the first and only one of its kind in Mindanao.

"Infrastructure development is one of our key priorities for the city, and this project will pave the way for more sustainable development around the Central Business District," Davao City Mayor Sebastian "Baste" Z. Duterte said in a statement.

"Having our wires and cables underground will not only enhance the city's skyline, it will also make our streets safer for motorists and commuters, stabilize power and telecommunications services, and make the city more appealing to tourists and investors," he continued.

The successful implementation of the project has attracted the attention of LGUs from Butuan and Bataan, who recently visited Davao City to inspect the recently completed underground cabling in San Pedro Street. Davao Light and the City’s Engineering Office led the site tour on March 23, 2023.

In the same month, the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) - National Capital Region also visited in preparation for pilot feasibility studies on implementing underground cabling in EDSA and Katipunan Avenue Extension.

“This project is a new addition to the many things that other LGUs visit [Davao] city for, for benchmarking purposes,” Duterte added. “We shall continue to support other localities that intend to adopt the project in their respective cities and municipalities.”

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