The government remains committed to pursuing the Mindanao Railway Project (MRP) even though China has withdrawn financial support, according to the Department of Transportation.
Transportation Secretary Jaime J. Bautista said the DOTr is already coordinating with the Department of Finance in seeking alternative funding sources such as official development assistance (ODA) from foreign governments and from global financial institutions.
“We decided to pursue Phase 1 of the MRP despite the withdrawal of prior funding commitment from the government of China. While looking for funding sources, various pre-construction activities show we are not dropping the project,” Bautista said.
According to Bautista, land acquisition proceed unhampered along the target alignment in Mindanao from Tagum to Digos via Davao City. Resettlement sites for displaced residents have also been identified, with villages in different stages of construction.
“In fact, the Tagum Train Village is scheduled for turnover to its future residents in the coming months. Livelihood programs are also being prepared for affected families,” the transport chief said.
Costing P81.6 billion, Phase 1 of the Mindanao Railway Project spans over 100.2 kilometers consisting of eight stations.
Once operational, the rail line will serve a projected 122,000 passengers daily and reduce travel time from Tagum City to Digos City to only an hour from the current three hours.
The MRP Phase 1 Tagum-Davao-Digos line will concretize the master rail plan of connecting the entire island of Mindanao, according to the Secretary.
Once the Mindanao Railway Project is completed, the 1,544-kilometer rail system will connect key cities like Davao, General Santos, Cagayan de Oro, Iligan, Cotabato, Zamboanga, Butuan, Surigao and Malaybalay and pump prime Mindanao’s economic expansion.
