PANAY RAILWAYS:

WHAT IT WAS AND WHAT IT COULD BECOME

I’m sure that many Panayanons such as myself,  were quite surprised at President Duterte’s mention of rebuilding Panay railways.  It is no secret that President Duterte wanted to build inter-city railways between cities in the Philippines, he has been telegraphing this even before he was sworn in.  However, most expected him to build them only in Mindanao and Luzon where there are great distances to cover and trains would actually make sense.  But, I must admit that I was quite chuffed to hear that he was considering its rebuilding.  Here are his exact words:

So, we shall also pursue rail projects in Metro Manila and the major key-points in the country including the Mindanao Rail Project [applause]. Hindi ako nagyayabang pero totoo talaga ‘to. Well, depende sa federal. But six years, lalabas talaga ito. I assure you because it’s going to materialize:  Rail projects,  the Davao Transit System, the Cebu Transit System, the North and South Luzon Railways and the Panay Railways project. Kita mo? Panay. Eh taga saan si ano? Eh 'di Panay. Panay ang bigay natin para… [laughter and applause]

Of course, the quote will not be complete without a playful little stab at the good Senator from Iloilo.

What it was sabihin naman ni Senator Drilon, 'Binack-bite ka dito. Lalagyan daw nung ano, yung island mo ng train. May tawa pa.' Binaback-bite ka dito. Mag-sumbong man 'yan. Tingnan mo 'yan.

Facebook Meme

What it was

Panay railways was once famous for being the only railway line outside of Luzon.  The railway began construction in 1907 with one crew starting from Roxas City, Capiz and another crew in Iloilo City, they built the railway from both ends until they met in the middle.  Service began immediately after its inauguration in 1912 with freight and passenger services.  In Iloilo city, the tracks ran all the way up to the port area or Muelle Loney.  Sadly, the railway ceased passenger operations in 1985 and freight operations in 1989 after competition from trucks and buses rendered it unprofitable.

At its height, the Panay Railways had 5 locomotives plying the line at regular times of the day.  There were steam locomotives and later on, there were diesel electric locomotives.  They have all since been scrapped, save for one lone survivor known as Engine 114, which stands a shell of its former self.

Engine 114

(Source: Skyscrapercity forums)

Panay Railways still exists as a shell corporation as the company itself still owns substantial property.  Some of the tracks, especially at Passi are used by enterprising people as a makeshift push cart transportation system.

Panay Railways Office

What it will be

Honestly, nobody knows how this is going to turn out, or if the project will ever come into fruition.  The revival of the railway has been teased since the time of President Ramos.  However, reviving the original line running from Iloilo City to Roxas City is very remote.  The original tracks are in disrepair, the bridges have been demolished and the rolling stock are in no condition to run ever again, though, lets not discount that possibility.

Its possible though for new routes to be opened.  An Iloilo City to Caticlan route or routes passing through Antique would be very nice.  Perhaps this will pave the way for inter-island rail tracks—a train that may go through an underwater tunnel to Mindoro or a bridge to Negros.  Indeed, a wider network may finally provide an impetus to construct a “trans-Philippine” rail network in the spirit of the Shinkansen train of Japan.  Just imagine a railway network from Tugegarao City to Davao, what tremendous opportunities this may bring!

Just imagine a railway network from Tugegarao City to Davao, what tremendous opportunities this may bring!

The Shinkansen or bullet train

On a less ambitious scale, the rebirth of Panay railways may come in the form of a commuter rail network servicing Metro Iloilo and the environs.  This may take the form of a tram or Automated Guideway Transit or AGT.

DOST is currently testing a locally produced version of an AGT.
Is this the shape of things to come?

In any case, the mention of Panay railways in the grand scheme of things may just be that—a mention.  Ultimately, nothing will come to fruition.  Nevertheless, it was a very pleasant surprise for many a Panayanon.  And it just goes to show that maybe, with a little vision and a dream, a modern and prosperous Philippines may yet be achieved.

#DUBREDO: REALLY MEDIA? COME ON

Sometimes, I think that Filipinos are too shallow and starstruck to make democracy work in this country.  This is no more evident in the uptrend of the twitter hashtag “#dubredo”.  This hashtag refers to the tandem of Philippine President Rodrigo DUterte and Vice President Leni RoBREDO. 

All this arose after the first meeting of the newly inaugurated heads of state and the pair were photographed looking very comfortable with one another, Leni Robredo in particular looking very giggly—like a schoolgirl in the presence of her crush. 

"Coz there's something in the way you look at me"

🎶😍💞💑 #Dubredo it is! Haha. pic.twitter.com/t0LRctvTyP

— marilou. (@matud411) July 5, 2016

Later, more “shipping” happened when Duterte asked Robredo if she wanted to head the Housing and Urban Development Coordinating Council (HUDCC).  Twitter was literally blowing up with #Dubredo memes.

What kind of people have we become that we let this touchy-feely, kilig-ness affect our national consciousness?  Makes me question the sort of logic “Dubredo” voters applied last May 9.

More disturbing is how this shipping is somehow worthy of being featured in the news.  Did Duterte’s boycott of the Media reduce them to reporting mush?  Or is it because the persons allied with the Liberal Party are fighting to keep their party relevant in the new administration?  One would think that the media, in the face of the criticism arrayed against it by Duterte would strive to report on things of greater substance than kilig-ness mush.

 

All this may just seem like harmless fun, but I can’t help but think that there is a darker side to all this.  It is no secret that Duterte and Robredo come from opposing political parties, and that there is actual enmity between them.  During the election campaign, Robredo would go along with her running mate Mar Roxas’ negative portrayal of Duterte as a dictator and would spread black propaganda.  Some have also theorized that former president Fidel Ramos put some pressure on Duterte to give Robredo a position in his cabinet.  Duterte, in turn, complied but just offered the HUDCC, a post that has been held by the past two Vice Presidents and is a fairly low-key post. 

Duterte is probably hoping that that Robredo just stays quiet in the post he gave her.  It is well known that the Vice President in the Philippine system has no role apart from existing for the purpose of succession in case of the President’s death or incapacity.  It appears that the media is not going to let that happen.  They have just found their new darling.