The Philippine Railway Company in Cebu

Spain being one of the early empires of the world was abreast of modernization. Animal-driven carriages were replaced then by locomotives and the train. The Philippines being a colony of Spain was the beneficiary of the industrialization of Europe. The Spanish government through its Governor General in the Philippines who acted as the representative of the Spanish King established the railway systems on November 24, 1892. It was primarily implemented in the central government which is Manila.

When the Americans arrived and replaced the Spaniards as colonizers of the Philippines, the Insular Government of the Philippines, an American sponsored conglomeration of Filipino and American leaders established the Philippine Railway Company on March 5, 1906.

Then on May 28, 1906 the Philippine Commission granted concession to the Philippine Railway Company for the construction of the railways in Panay, Negros and Cebu.

The Philippine Railway Company virtually monopolized the public transport system in Cebu though they were tartanillas (horse-driven carriage) its scope was only in the urban areas and was for short distance travel.The train system covers the Municipality of Cebu (now Cebu City) to Argao, for the southern part and Danao for the northern part.

That was the situation for decades it was changed with the entry of the autobus and trucks. Cebu was the battleground for domination of the political and business giants, the Cebu Autobus of Don Sergio Suico Osmeña and Bisaya Lines of Don