BACOLOD City – The Sangguniang Panlungsod (SP) has asked the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) to conduct a feasibility study for the possible construction of a railway system in conjunction with the proposed bridge linking the provinces of Negros Occidental, Guimaras and Iloilo.
Councilor Al Victor Espino said the SP passed a resolution on Monday, September 23, during their regular session to endorse their request to NEDA Region 6 director, Engr. Arecio Casing Jr., through Mayor Alfredo Abelardo Benitez, the chairman of the Regional Development Council.
According to the SP, the development of transportation infrastructure is critical to the economic growth, sustainability and connectivity of the islands of Negros Occidental, Guimaras, and Iloilo.
Espino explained that the proposed Panay-Guimaras-Negros (PGN) bridge project that will link the three provinces presents an opportunity to enhance not only road transportation but also a railway system that can serve as an efficient, sustainable and affordable means of transportation for both passengers and freight.
The establishment of a railway system along the bridge could significantly reduce travel time between the islands, improve the movement of goods, boost tourism, and foster economic development within the region.
Thus, the SP recognized the need to explore the potential of constructing a railway system as part of the bridge infrastructure to ensure that the project maximizes its benefits for the people of the three islands.
Espino said conducting a feasibility study is crucial in determining the technical, economic, environmental, and social viability of integrating a railway system into the planned bridge construction.
The plan, he added, is not just limited to commuters but also to the transfer of goods and services./PN
