Council ‘rides on’ LRT proposal THE Iloilo City Council unanimously endorsed on Tuesday the request of Mayor Jed Patrick Mabilog for a feasibility study on a proposed light rail transit (LRT) from Iloilo City to Kalibo, Aklan. Councilor Plaridel Nava, who sponsored the resolution, said the LRT project will “vastly boost economic activities between Iloilo City and Kalibo, as well as the intermediate towns and provinces along its way.” The LRT project is also seen “to provide tourists a convenient means to go to Boracay and other places of interest in Panay, other than providing comfortable travel for local travelers.” Councilor Joshua Alim said there really is nothing wrong if the mayor asks the Department of Transportation and Communication (DOTC) for a feasibility study on the proposed project. Alim said that while it is still too early to make conclusions, he is keeping his fingers crossed that the LRT project will push through. Iloilo Governor Arthur Defensor Sr. earlier said that the LRT proposal is very ambitious and very expensive, that it would be better to focus on other projects that are likely to succeed. Defensor also recalled the aborted revival of the railway from Iloilo to Capiz as it was not economically feasible. In fact, the LRT in Metro Manila is also a losing proposition, The Manila City government continues to operate it only because it is a great help in easing traffic in that city, the governor added. Councilor RLeoni Gerochi said he could not imagine why the Manila LRT would be losing with so many people crowding the trains daily. /TDG
Posted on: Tue, 15 Jul 2014 15:22:54 +0000