The Department of Transportation (DoTr) has invited bids for consultancy services to prepare feasibility studies for two proposed railway projects — the Panay Railway and the Samar-Leyte Railway. The bundled contract, valued at PHP157.21 million, will cover pre-feasibility, development studies, and preliminary engineering design. Bids are due on September 8, 2025, and the selected contractor will have 365 days to complete the assignment.
The Panay Railway project envisions a passenger and freight system with logistics hubs, depots, and transit-oriented developments. Meanwhile, the Samar-Leyte line forms part of the proposed Eastern Visayas Metro Railway System, aimed at improving connectivity between the two islands.
The studies build on earlier DoTr efforts, including PHP600 million in funding secured in 2023 for feasibility work on four projects: the Panay Railway, the PNR North Long Haul line, the North Mindanao Railway, and the San Mateo Railway. A task force for the Eastern Visayas Metro Railway System was also created in 2023 to drive development planning in the region.