ILOILO CITY — Sweden is financing the feasibility study for the proposed bus rapid transit system in Metro Iloilo.
VICE Mayor Jeffrey Ganzon (right) with Ambassador Harald Fries of Sweden (center) and Trade Commissioner Johan Lennefalk. (Iloilo City PIO)
Ambassador Harald Fries of Sweden and Vice Mayor Jeffrey Ganzon, acting mayor as Mayor Jerry Treñas is on medical leave, inked an agreement on Tuesday, Oct. 29.
The agreement was signed a year after Business Sweden proposed the BRT to the Metro Iloilo-Guimaras Economic Development Council (MIGEDC), an inter-agency alliance between local governments and businesses in Iloilo City and neighboring towns in Iloilo province.
“Sweden is proud to support Iloilo’s aspirations for a more efficient and sustainable public transport system. Through this collaboration, we aim to provide innovative solutions that not only improve urban mobility but also enhance the quality of life for residents of Iloilo,” said Fries.
The study is funded by Swedfund International, Sweden’s development finance institution.
If the proposal pushes through, the BRT can augment mini-buses that started plying city streets and neighboring towns when Iloilo City formally launched the modern transport plan in June 2022 as part of the Public Transportation Modernization Program.
The signing was witnessed by Sweden’s Trade Commissioner Johan Lennefalk, Embassy of Sweden Senior Trade Promotions Officer Giselle Yap, and Business Sweden consultant Mae Balandan.