ILOILO CITY — Iloilo City is capable of hosting a monorail project according to a pre-feasibility study conducted by the BYD Auto Co. Inc., an automaker and new energy technology based in China.
Ritchel Gavan, head of the Iloilo City Local Economic Investment and Promotions Office (LEIPO), said the Chinese firm first visited this city last June.
A memorandum of understanding (MOU) and non-disclosure agreement for the conduct of the pre-feasibility study (FS) was held in October, and they came back with the result on January 15.
“Based on the data, it is really feasible that they put up a monorail system in the city,” she said.
Gavan said the first of the three-phase project will cover three Iloilo City routes. These are the Iloilo City Hall to Ungka in Jaro district for Line 1; Jaro to the city center for Line 2 and from Mohon, Areval to City Proper for Line 3.
If this investment pushes through, then Iloilo City will serve as their “pilot” in the Philippines and in Asia.
BYD has also signed deals with Yinchuan, Shantou, Shenzhen, Guang’an, Jining all in China and Alexandria in Egypt and Morocco, Gavan said quoting an article that appeared in Chinese newspaper.
Gavan said the investment is very much welcomed in Iloilo considering that the city government will not shell out funds.
Also, nobody will be displaced because it will offer “another option for the riding public.”
It is also acceptable to the business sector because it provides easy and faster access, especially when they would like to transact at the city hall, she added.
“Our business sector is very receptive because this is another sign of progress and development in Iloilo City,” she said.
With the positive result of the pre-FS, Gavan said the company will now proceed with the conduct of a feasibility study. (PNA)
