A 2,000 kilometer Mindanao Railway project, priced at 9 billion USD, is in the works according to Speaker Pantaleon Alvarez, said in a press conference, Wednesday, April 19.
Alvarez informed the media that the Congress is now working on the financial aspect in the General Appropriation Act, which is to be used for acquiring land for the said project. First phase of implementation will commence next year.
The 2,000-kilometer project will run through Davao del Sur to Davao del Norte, Davao del Norte to Butuan, Butuan to Cagayan de Oro and the final phase from Cagayan de Oro to lligan and Zamboanga. A loop from Cagayan de Oro passing Cotabato to Davao will complete the first rail system in Mindanao, according to Speaker Alvarez.
Earlier, National Economic Development Authority (NEDA) reported that site inspections and feasibility studies were conducted for the Mindanao Railway Project and will be presented to NEDA’s Investment Coordination Committee (ICC) third quarter this year.
Malaysia, Japan and China have already shown intent to build the said railway.
Source: Philstar