Reconsidering The Skyrail Project In The Philippines

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Starting with the shelved monorail project in Iloilo

The sleek monorail car glides silently along BYD headquarters, its sleek alloy skin in black shimmers under the afternoon sun.  Standing in this sprawling complex in Shenzhen, watching the latest generation of SkyRail technology in action, I’m struck by a sobering thought: This could have been operating in Iloilo City for years by now.

Seven years ago, on August 22, Iloilo City signed what seemed like a game-changing agreement with BYD Auto Co. to build a 20-kilometer monorail system — the first of its kind in the Philippines. The project promised to position this progressive Visayas province as a leader in sustainable urban transport, with operations slated to begin two years later.

That deadline came and went. The monorail remains a “proposed transit system” in official documents, its ambitious timeline now a footnote in Iloilo’s development history.

But here at BYD’s research and development center, where a dedicated team of 1,000 engineers continues to refine technology that has since proven itself across three continents, the question isn’t whether the Iloilo project failed — it’s whether the city will seize a second chance at transformational infrastructure.

Global success while Iloilo waited

As Iloilo’s monorail stalled in bureaucratic limbo, BYD’s SkyRail technology rolled out across the world with remarkable success.

In Salvador, Brazil, the Bahia SkyRail became the world’s first monorail line partially built above the sea. The 14.5-mile system, linking the city’s central business district to São João Island, achieved what seemed impossible when Iloilo first considered the technology: a fully operational, commercially viable monorail serving a coastal city with challenging terrain.

São Paulo followed suit. Metro Line 17, a 17.7-kilometer system connecting Congonhas Airport to Morumbi, is scheduled to open in June 2026. Each five-car set carries 616 passengers — demonstrating the technology’s capacity to handle serious urban transit loads.

China’s first commercial SkyRail line launched in Yinchuan, capital of the Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region. Read Kyle Field’s report to understand why the system, now operational or being built in 10 other towns in China, is now being worked on or completed in five more deals with other countries for over 380 kilometers of SkyRail trains and tracks.

The technology that seemed futuristic when Iloilo first considered it is now operational, profitable, and expanding globally.

The evolution of the Skyrail

Walking through BYD’s manufacturing floors and research laboratories, the technological leap since the original agreement is unmistakable. The monorail cars I observed feature advanced AI-powered traffic management, enhanced battery systems that extend emergency operation capabilities far beyond the original 3-kilometer range, and modular designs that allow for more flexible routing.

The all-aluminum construction remains, but materials science has advanced substantially. Energy efficiency improvements are remarkable. The regenerative braking systems now capture and redistribute power with unprecedented sophistication. Smart city integration — connecting the monorail to traffic management, emergency services, and urban planning systems — was barely conceptual during the initial negotiations. Today, it’s standard.

Perhaps most significantly for Iloilo’s original concerns, current designs offer unprecedented flexibility in route planning. Tighter turning radii, improved elevation capabilities, and modular construction enable the system to navigate around existing structures with minimal disruption to communities.

The Skyrail’s charging port. (Photo for Cleantechnica by RGBT.)

The technology today can address yesterday’s problems

The SkyRail technology I observed in Shenzhen directly addresses the challenges that derailed Iloilo’s original initiative.

Advanced route optimization software can now model displacement impacts with precision, identifying paths that minimize community disruption. The modular elevated design requires a smaller ground footprint than originally planned, reducing acquisition needs.

Improved construction techniques allow for faster installation with less disruption to daily life. The enhanced turning radius and elevation capabilities mean routes can be designed around sensitive areas rather than through them.

Most importantly, the proven track record across multiple countries provides the credibility that was missing during the initial proposal. Iloilo wouldn’t be taking a leap of faith on unproven technology — it would be adopting a mature, successful system.

The original feasibility study, completed by BYD in January 2018, confirmed Iloilo City’s capacity to host a monorail system. That technical foundation remains valid, but the technology available today is far superior to what was initially proposed.

BYD’s strengthened presence in the Philippines — including major fleet deliveries to Manila Electric Company and expanded dealership networks — provides better local support infrastructure than existed during the original negotiations.

Climate financing mechanisms for sustainable transit have evolved dramatically, offering funding pathways that weren’t available during the project’s initial timeline.

Every month that passes represents missed opportunities. Traffic congestion continues to strangle Iloilo’s economic growth. Air pollution from vehicular emissions worsens. The city that could have been a Philippine pioneer in sustainable transit watches other cities claim that distinction.

The technological gap will only widen.

BYD’s R&D team isn’t standing still — continuous improvements mean the system available today is better than what will be offered tomorrow, but tomorrow’s will surpass today’s. More critically, the window for establishing regional transit leadership is closing. As other Philippine cities explore advanced transportation solutions, Iloilo’s first-mover advantage diminishes.

The path forward

Standing in BYD’s Shenzhen headquarters, surrounded by the reality of what Iloilo could have had, I’m convinced the city should reconsider the SkyRail project — not as a revival of a stalled initiative, but as an opportunity to implement proven, evolved technology.

In 2022, Iloilo Governor Arthur Defensor Jr. said they are eyeing the development of “a provincial monorail system which would complement the revival of the defunct Panay Railways,” but there isn’t any word if this is to continue or revive the BYD contract. What is clear, however, is Governor Defensor’s vision for better public transportation.

The challenges that halted the original project aren’t insurmountable with today’s advanced planning tools and flexible design capabilities. The jurisdictional conflicts can be resolved through regional coordination. The funding mechanisms exist. The technology works.

What’s needed is political will and community engagement that addresses past concerns while focusing on future benefits.

Iloilo built its reputation on progressive leadership and environmental consciousness. That original SkyRail agreement represented those values perfectly — a commitment to sustainable development and innovative urban planning.

Years later, with better technology, proven success stories, and evolved financing mechanisms, that opportunity still exists. The question is whether Iloilo will seize it or continue watching other cities take the lead in Philippine urban transit transformation.

For a province that showed such vision when it first considered this technology, the answer should be clear: It’s time to review and possibly revive the dream — this time, with the wisdom to make it reality.