BRT Project in Iloilo City gains ground

The proposed Electric Bus Rapid Transit (EBRT) in Iloilo City is gaining traction following the endorsement of the Private Public Partnership (PPP) Center.

Iloilo City Mayor Jerry P. Treñas said the PPP Center found all the documents complete, thus, it was brought to the Iloilo 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.

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.

“This will make Iloilo City at par with Cebu and Davao, where the national government is presently developing a BRT system for them to help manage the traffic situation. These are developments that excite me since they will ensure that the city will continue to be resilient, competitive, and well-managed,” the city mayor said.

On the other hand, while First Balfour is ready for Iloilo City only, Treñas 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,” he said.

To note, the original proposal so far covers three lines which is from Diversion Road, and Arevalo and Jaro districts, all the way to the City Proper, with 16 buses each line.

“We are very excited about this because we all know that the national government spent P70 to 80 billion for Cebu and Davao. Here, at no expense, ang aton BRT and kinanglan na naton ini. BRT has been operating in countries in Europe and the US for long time to manage traffic,” the city mayor added. (Glenda Tayona/Iloilo City PIO)