Mindanao Railway Project to proceed, MinDA assures

Mindanao Development Authority (MinDA) Secretary Leo Tereso Magno (Photo courtesy of Mindanao Development Authority Facebook page)

By Che Palicte | Philippine News Agency

The Mindanao Development Authority (MinDA) reaffirmed Wednesday that the Mindanao Railway Project (MRP) would push through, dismissing speculations of its cancellation.

In a press briefing, MinDa Secretary Leo Tereso Magno clarified that the project is moving forward, confirming strong interest from private entities in partnering with the government.

“There are three to four private individuals and companies aggressively showing interest in collaborating on the MRP master plan,” Magno said.

He said the Department of Transportation (DOTr) and MinDA are finalizing the project’s terms of reference, with an expected release by December.

The MRP Phase 1, spanning 100.2 km., will connect the cities of Davao, Tagum, and Digos.

Land acquisition is underway for this segment, which will include eight stations at an estimated cost of P81.6 billion.

The railway aims to serve 122,000 passengers daily, reducing travel time from Tagum City to Digos City from three hours to one hour.

Once fully completed, the MRP will span 1,544 km., linking key areas in Mindanao, including Davao, General Santos, Cagayan de Oro, Iligan, Cotabato, Zamboanga, Butuan, Surigao, and Malaybalay.

Magno acknowledged the need to update the project’s design, as elements of the original plan are outdated.

“Unless there are new changes, the DOTr has affirmed that this is the latest direction for the MRP,” he said.

The MRP remains a flagship infrastructure project aimed at enhancing connectivity and boosting economic growth in Mindanao.

Popular

PBBM: Launch of new dairy farm to boost local milk production, supply

By Ruth Abbey Gita-Carlos | Philippine News Agency President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on Friday expressed optimism that the inauguration of the Farm Fresh Milk...

PBBM leads distribution of various aid to Aeta communities in Pampanga

By Brian Campued In celebration of the National Indigenous Peoples Month this October, President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. led the turnover of various forms of...

PBBM vows sustained recovery efforts in Cebu after deadly quake

By Brian Campued President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on Thursday assured Cebuanos that the government will continue to provide assistance in Cebu as it reels...

PBBM to soldiers: Serve the citizenry, protect the homeland

By Dean Aubrey Caratiquet “Panata ito ng katapatan sa tungkulin at paninindigan para sa bayan.” At the oath-taking ceremony of 29 newly promoted generals and flag...