ILOILO City – The proposed Electric Bus Rapid Transit (EBRT) in this southern city is gaining traction following the endorsement of the Private Public Partnership (PPP) Center.
Mayor Jerry P. Treñas said the PPP Center found all the documents complete, thus, it was brought to the city government together with proponent, First Balfour Inc. of the First Philippine Holdings Corporation.
“It is now ready for consideration by the city’s PPP committee,” Treñas said.
Once the PPP Committee already determines the project to be acceptable, the concerned parties can proceed to the signing of contract agreement. The proposal will then be subjected to a Swiss challenge.
A Swiss challenge is a form of public procurement that requires a public authority that has received an unsolicited bid for a public project or for services to be provided to the government to publish the bid, and invite third parties to match or give a better offer.
Mayor Treñas said the EBRT project proposal, which is eyed to start in the first quarter of 2025, will ensure that the city’s transportation system will be modernized with green power.
On the other hand, while First Balfour is ready for Iloilo City only, the city mayor shared that the Swedish Government offered a grant of $1-million for a feasibility study to extend the EBRT project to Metro Iloilo towns.
He noted that the terms for the Swedish-funded study are still being finalized.
“The feasibility study offered by the Swedish Government will cover the airport, up to Oton, Leganes, Zarraga, Cabatuan,” Treñas said.
To note, the original proposal so far covers three lines – from Diversion Road and Arevalo and Jaro districts, all the way to the City Proper, with 16 buses each line. (With a report from the Iloilo City PIO)/PN
