Monorail investor to present Iloilo City study

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Iloilo City Mayor Jose Espinosa III has hoped the proposed skyrail project will solve heavy traffic in the metropolis.

Chinese carmaker Build Your Dreams (BYD) Company Ltd. has proposed the establishment of a monorail here.

They invited Espinosa and members of the Technical Working Group (TWG) during the launching of Multi-Layered Electrified Transportation Solution Event at Le Pavilion in Pasay City May 30.

BYD and City Government entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) in August last year for the conduct of pre-feasibility study. BYD officials are set to present the result of feasibility study third week of June.

If realized, Iloilo City will be the first in the country to host the BYD monorail.

“With BYD’s monorail in our lovely city, we will not only enhance the city’s traffic management scheme, but it will also promote our campaign for green technology,” Espinosa said.

“I aim to further make Iloilo City’s local economy sustainable, inclusive and resilient by supporting President Rodrigo Duterte’s Build, Build, Build campaign,” he added.

“They chose Iloilo City because it goes to show that they are impressed with us, they have seen our capabilities and that we are almost there, the only thing we lack is the monorail,” Local Economic and Investment Promotions Office (LEIPO) head Ritchel Gavan said.

She was referring to the potentials in terms of Services, Manufacturing and agri-business, Arts and culture, Research and technology, and Tourism (SMART) City of Excellence.

“There's a positive chance for the establishment of monorail. Our residents would benefit from this project in a way that they will be given with options in terms of transportation,” Gavan said.

“At the same time, no one among the transportation sector will be displaced because as a background, based on the result of their pre-feasibility study, there will be three lines within the city which are very strategic,” she added.

Gavan noted they have identified the entrance and exits to and outside the city including terminals in Mohon, Arevalo; and Ungka and Tagbak in Jaro.

Gavan also foresees that the monorail will boost the economy and provide job employment for Ilonggos. (Merianne Grace Ereñeta/Iloilo City PIO)

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