VECO's substations undergo facelift

To improve public safety, the Visayan Electric Co., Inc. is prettifying its power substations,

renovating the substations' façade to blend with Cebu city's progressive panorama. The facilities now look safer in their modern design.

“The highly-elevated concrete fences eliminate the notion that high voltage is dangerous and that the substations could explode anytime,” Sunday Palabrica, VECO Substation and Electrical Equipment Department manager said. “Our substations can now be seen safer when you pass their facades.”

With improved security, the incidence of theft has also been eliminated.

“Once you're inside, you'll have a hard time getting out,” Palabrica added. “Aside from security personnel, the facilities are now fully equipped with online cameras. Nobody can get inside without the knowledge and approval of VECO's control center.”

The aesthetics contribute to efficiency. With the installation of high and durable concrete fences, the power utility is getting rid of unwanted power interruptions due external sabotage and foreign objects that may hit the substation equipment during typhoons.

Residents living near substations used to fear them. The chicken wire fences gave the substations a scary look with view of large bare coils of electricity, towers of electric circuits and high-voltage wires.

"It was the idea of 'Sir Jimmy' (Jaime Jose Y. Aboitiz, VECO's executive vice president and chief operations officer) that our substations should be secure and safer to look at,” Palabrica added.

“We are now on that track and we hope that all improvements will be completed in two to three years’ time.”

VECO has prioritized substations located along busy roads in Carreta, the Mandaue reclamation area, Alfonso Y. Aboitiz (AYA) in Naga, Cabancalan and Camputhaw. - Press Release