Chinese firm to help in the revival of Panay railway system
The much sought revival of the railway system linking Iloilo City and Roxas City got a boost with the recent signing of a partnership between Panay Railways Inc. and China Shenyang International Economic and Technical Cooperation Corp. for the development and rehabilitation of the Panay railway system.
The partnership was among the ten agreements signed by Pres. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo during her three-day state visit to the People's Republic of China to discuss important bilateral concerns, such as agricultural cooperation, energy, transportation and trade and investment.
The rehabilitation of the 117-kilometer railway system from Iloilo City to Roxas City has long been pushed by the government to enhance the transport network system between the two cities, as well as, to encourage the deviation of cargo traffic from road to rails in order to prolong the life of the existing road network.
Hannibal Lipardo, general manager of Panay Railways Inc. (PRI), in earlier interview said they are already working out the relocation of close to 5,000 squatters occupying PRI properties from Iloilo to Roxas.
Squatters are mostly located at Lapuz, San Nicolas, Sonalan, M.H. del Pilar, Democracia and Sambag in Iloilo City, Pavia, Sta. Barbara, New Lucena and Pototan towns and the boundary between Passi City and Capiz.
Lipardo said they would be provided relocation sites once the project starts implementation.
To note, German, French and Austrian consortium would implement the P23.5 billion project.
Initial inspections have been made by the group sometime last year but no development was heard as of yet.
Meanwhile, during President Arroyo's visit to Guimbal, Iloilo in January this year she announced the plan to extend the Panay railway system to the said town.
Guimbal which is some 29 kilometers from Iloilo City is awaiting the construction of a P20 million port which would eventually complement the railway system.
The Panay railway system was a significant means of transportation linking Iloilo City and Roxas City during the seventies up to the early eighties when it stopped operation due to financial losses.