The Department of Transportation and Communications began its series of consultations on the proposed public-private partnership in the development of a railway system in the country in Iloilo City Thursday.

The consultations, which kicked off simultaneously in Iloilo and Cebu are in line with the planned establishment of a National Railway System being pursued by Secretary Leandro Mendoza, a government press release said.

The activity is aimed to spur interests of private sector as well as local government units to build and operate their own railway systems. In Iloilo, the participants were the members of the Regional Development Council, local government officials, business groups and other stakeholders.

"Another attractive option is for the private sector and the LGUs to provide for the rolling stock for the new railway projects in the Metropolitan areas while the government could take care of civil works under terms and conditions beneficial to all parties," Undersecretary Guiling Mamondiong said in the press release.

One of the highlights of the presentation was the proposed rehabilitation of the 117-kilometer Panay Railways, to be built in two phases. The first phase would be the construction of a railway from Iloilo City leading to the new airport in Sta. Barbara and Cabatuan towns. The second phase is the revival of the railway from Iloilo City to Capiz covering 27 to 30 towns.*

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