Study sought on railway system possibility in Palawan

• Source: http://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1001499
• Tuesday, July 18, 2017 5:56 pm

By Celeste Anna R. Formoso (PNA)

PUERTO PRINCESA CITY, July 18 -– A resolution to study and determine the potential positive and negative outcomes of the propositioned railway system project in Palawan has been filed Tuesday morning at the Sangguniang Panlalawigan.

The resolution, which was authored by Board Member Albert Rama, came a week after House Speaker Pantaleon Alvarez’s pronouncement that he is ready to back Palawan in the national government if its local leadership will consider the project in its transportation connectivity development agenda.

Specifically addressed to House Representatives Gil Acosta Sr. of the 3rd Palawan Congressional District, Frederick Abueg of the 2nd Palawan Congressional District, and Franz Josef Alvarez of the 1st Palawan Congressional District, the resolution seeks their help for the conduct of a study to determine the likelihood of a train/railway system and to look for funds for its implementation.

“This is because we want to pursue the hint that was given by Speaker Alvarez about having a railway or train system in the province. He said when he came from El Nido, he saw the length of Palawan and imagined the length of travel time for the people. Now, we’re pursuing it,” Rama said.

He explained further that what his resolution is aiming is for the three congressmen to pull efforts in the House of Representatives to see the possibility.

In his resolution to justify his request, Rama said the railway system can boost Palawan’s tourism industry and further increase its arrivals which had been 962,132 in 2014; 1,008, 908 in 2015; and 1,162,439 in 2016.

The increase, he noted, was 9 percent to 9 percent and 15 percent respectively, and with “a railway system to speed up the travel time between El Nido and Bataraza, tip-to-tip, the province will no doubt maintain its reputation as “Best Island in the World.”

With more tourists coming in, various businesses and other tourism-related investments can benefit, as well as the Palaweño people, according to Rama.

“Although there was a pronouncement from our speaker, this is dependent on the study that will be conducted. Under what scheme will it be implemented? With such pronouncement, strike while the iron is hot,” he said.

On July 12, Alvarez said here during a PDP-Laban event that he will suggest to the national government the construction of a railway system to improve Palawan’s tourism connectivity.

The speaker said the railway transportation project can be Official Development Assistance (ODA)-funded.

ODA as defined in Republic Act 8182 (ODA Act of 1996), “is a loan or grant administered with the objective of promoting sustainable social and economic development and welfare of the Philippines.”