Hey, take me to Davao’s wireless streets!

Same same but different.

If you’ve been walking along the streets of CM Recto and San Pedro in the heart of Davao City, you’ll see that electric cables that were hanging in the side streets are now gone. This is because of the city’s implementation of the five-phase underground cabling system that started in 2018. As a Davaoeño, I feel a strong sense of nostalgia and excitement knowing that I’m stepping into the future. I am awed and proud of what the city has achieved.

I was born and raised in Davao City and I have seen the progress this city has experienced the past decades. New buildings and roads were built and what were once residential areas are now urbanized commercial centers. It didn’t come as a surprise that the local government partnered with Aboitiz Power Corporation (distribution utility subsidiary of Davao Light & Power Company, Inc.), other telecommunications, cable, and internet companies, for the city’s underground cabling project. This is a first in Mindanao!

The project has five phases and two have been completed already. The first one was in CM Recto Street (where old movie theatres and the now defunct cultural icon, Aldevinco Shopping Center, used to stand). This was competed in 2018.

Early this year, the second phase was completed. This time, it’s the whole stretch of San Pedro Street, the city’s seat of government – the busiest area and the heart of “old” Davao. Here, we can find Rizal Park, Davao City Hall, Sangguniang Panlungsod, San Pedro Church as well as old commercial buildings and establishments. At night, this street becomes a red light district.

Underground cabling is not common in the Philippines and this initiative by Davao City will give a boost to the city’s tourism. Tourists will be treated to a visual feast of old architecture and visible skyline. The streets are cleaner and the space is a lot more spacious. Tourists will find themselves being transported to a quaint version of Europe but with an Asian feel. More than aesthetics and as a textured photography subject, underground cabling is safer because old buildings in the area are fire hazards.

Earlier this year, the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) said they are considering to implement Davao’s model of underground utility cabling system for Metro Manila particularly in EDSA and Katipunan Avenue. This is a huge step and I am happy that my hometown is a trailblazer!

Phase Three of this project is still ongoing and will cover the historic R.. Magsaysay Avenue where the Post Office and Chinatown are located. I can’t wait for this project to be finished and I hope thatA soon, this kind of project will be implemented in the whole Philippines.

I definitely recommend you explore Davao City. It’s a bustling city that’s the gateway to other places in Mindanao, south of the Philippines. Besides the cheap fruits, food and drinks (we love it grilled!), the beaches in the Island Garden City of Samal is just 15 minutes away and if you want to climb the Philippines’ highest peak, Mt. Apo, your journey starts here.

You will not run out of choices of accommodations from budget hostels to mid-range to high-end, depending on your budget and preference. Whenever I travel, I use Skyscanner to compare the prices of flights to my destinations. You may try to check out your preferred flights here:

If you’re not into nature or beaches, Klook also offers other options for you to do in Davao City.