ILOILO CITY – The proposed revival of the railway system in Panay Island will have to pass through the evaluation of the National Economic Development Authority (Neda).
This was disclosed by Neda Regional Director Ro-Ann Bacal as a sidelight of the 2015 report on the regional economic performance of Western Visayas held in Iloilo City on Thursday, July 28.
The Panay railways project was included in President Rodrigo Duterte’s State of the Nation Address last July 25.
Bacal, however, said her office has no marching orders yet to start a study on the railways revival.
She was also uncertain if the President wanted it to be funded through a Public Private Partnership or through a foreign funded overseas development assistance.
"In 2000, the government started marketing the revival of the Panay railways for foreign investments. Sadly, there was no taker of the project," Bacal said.
The early proposal calls for the start of a railway system in the municipality of Sta Barbara, Iloilo going north to Capiz province up to Kalibo, Aklan.
The proposal also showed the railways up to Caticlan, Malay, Aklan so tourists can easily access to Boracay Island.
These proposals will only come to realization once the President gives the marching order for the revival of Panay railways. (LCP)