Railway system in Mandaue may not be too far-fetched

Mayor Luigi Quisumbing says firms are developers with track records in other countries and in their local affiliates

TWO foreign firms are interested in building a railway system in Mandaue City.

This, after Mayor Luigi Quisumbing met with officials of China Railways Corp. (CRC) for a possible public-private partnership for a mass transport system in the city more than a week ago.

“We have received interest from several different companies. As a matter of fact, we will be meeting with one group today and another group after the New Year. Basically, I think we’re all in agreement that mass transit is really the next great priority of Metro Cebu,” the mayor said yesterday.

Request for anonymity

The first group Quisumbing met yesterday was another China-based company.

The other one has done work in Europe, he said.

He said both firms asked not to be named until such time that they can do their preliminary work.

He said these firms are developers with track record in other countries and their local affiliates.

Last Dec. 11, Quisumbing met CRC officials and exchanged information about the city and the projects that the firm has done.

CRC is responsible for 40 percent of the railway system in China, he said.

While Cebu City prefers a bus rapid transit, Quisumbing said things can be harmonized and not necessarily be in conflict with each other.

Different needs

“Like I said, when we initially talk about them, their preference is to do a unified transport system for Metro Cebu. But they understand that each LGU (local government unit) is unique in its own wants and needs. They said these things can be harmonized,” he said.

The mayor has foreseen that traffic congestion will get worse once the international port in Consolacion is completed and operational so it is important to fast-track the implementation of the mass transportation system.

“Now I’m very thankful to the Duterte administration who has said the mass transport and infrastructure development is one of their strongest priorities. So knowing how important the economy of Metro Cebu is to the economic of the entire country, we are sure that this will be given attention by the administration,” he added.