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BY GLENDA SOLOGASTOA
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ILOILO City – A Chinese company will conduct a pre-feasibility study for a monorail system in this southern city.
Yesterday, the Sangguniang Panlungsod (SP) granted Mayor Jed Patrick Mabilog the authority to enter into a memorandum of understanding (MOU) and non-disclosure agreement with BYD Auto Industry Company Ltd. of China for the pre-feasibility study.
Prior to this, Benjamin Zhao, senior regional manager of BYD’s Asia-Pacific Auto Sales Division, made a presentation about the monorail system to the SP.
A monorail is a single rail serving as a track for passenger or freight vehicles. In most cases the rail is elevated. Vehicles are either suspended from or straddle a narrow guide way.
The pre-feasibility study will take some two months at no cost to the city government. Results will be presented to the SP.
BYD proposed a monorail system from the city to the Iloilo Airport in Cabatuan, Iloilo. Aside from addressing the traffic congestion, Zhao said it will also lessen carbon emission in a city.
Among the features of the proposed monorail are the following:
- a train-to-rail-beam overlap which ensures a higher level of stability
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state-of-the-art power backup in each carriage that keeps the monorail running providing over 10 km in the event of power outage
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flame-resistant materials to reduce the risk of onboard fires
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safety side tracks which enable passengers to reach safety in emergency situation
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lightweight aluminum body to improve efficiency and reduce tire wear
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the BYD Permanent Magnet Electrical motor that increases efficiency
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regenerative braking charges BYD Iron-Phosphate batteries to deliver 30 percent more power efficient; and
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state-of-the-art driverless automated control technology.
After the SP granted Mabilog the authority to enter into an MOU, a signing was held Seda Hotel in Mandurriao district.
With Zhao were Liu Xuelliang, general manager; Vincent Zhou, sales manager of BYD’s Asia-Pacific Auto Sales Division; Tim Qui, engineering specialist; Dean Tu, senior project engineer of BYD Transit Research Institute; and Satoyi Wang, senior manager of BYD Japan Co. Ltd.
Just this March, a company based in Beijing, China agreed to conduct a feasibility study on the proposed revival of the Panay railway system – another sign of the warming of relations between the Philippines and China.
Panay Railways, Inc. (PRI) and China Railway International Group Limited (CRIGL) signed a memorandum of understanding and cooperation.
“They will conduct the feasibility study, inspect our road right of way from Iloilo City to Roxas City, validate and further discuss the details of the proposed project,” said Cesar Capillan, PRI director/treasurer.
In the signing, PRI was represented by its president Atty. Juan Catalan. CRIGL was represented by its deputy general manager, Bai Rui.
Capillan said CRIGL will also come up with a financing scheme for the proposed rehabilitation of the railway system from Iloilo City to Roxas City that more or less will cost about P16 billion.
Two schemes are being eyed – built operate and transfer (BOT) and public-private partnership (PPP).
Capillan said PRI was confident that President Duterte would approve the railway system’s revival.
In March, Duterte met with Chinese Vice Premier Wang Yang in Davao City and discussed the two country’s strategic and cooperative relationship, particularly for peace and development.
The Panay railway system was constructed in 1906 by the Americans. During World War II, this was damaged by bombings.
If the project pushes through, the revival works may be complete in three years, said Capillan.
The proposed phase one will start from Iloilo, either from the town of Pavia or Santa Barbara going to Roxas City in Capiz./PN
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