THE MINDANAO Development Authority (MinDA) revealed that three countries had already exhibited their interest in bankrolling the Mindanao Railway Project (MRP).
During the press briefing at MinDA Forum on July 24, Leo Tereso Magno, MinDA Secretary, said two railway-related businesses from South Korea and one from Japan had already opened the possibility of partnering with the MRP development.
“There were already three companies who were interested in investing. The interest is already there. We have opened their eyes to the possibility of partnering with us to put up that Mindanao Railway Project,” Magno said.
He clarified that they’re not yet in the implementation stage, but the said firms had already sent their letters of interest.
Magno said the current administration, in spite of the funding challenges of MRP, also urged Public and Private Partnerships (PPP) all over the country and overseas to invest in such developments.
“This administration is encouraging investments coming from different countries, businessmen, local, and domestic. The government is open to partnering and collaborating with various groups who are willing to be partners in development,” Magno said.
In line with this, the Department of Transportation (DOTr) announced last month that it would overhaul the entire MRP, prioritizing a modern and environment-friendly railway system in the Philippines.
DOTr also reconsidered to make it an electric railway system instead of using diesel, to further achieve its aim of sustainable transportation.
Aside from the concerns about its project cost, Magno said another clamor that they are yet to consider is to design the train not just for passengers but also to transport goods.
“The clamor of Mindanaoans, is that the the train should also consider cargo, hindi lang pang tao ‘yung nakasakay, dahil gusto nating makatulong yung MRP on transporting goods, because we also want to help the agriculture industry,” he said.
He also stressed that DOTr is in the process of reconsidering the changes and promised to complete the study within the current administration.
Based on the blueprint, the Mindanao railway will connect Tagum and Digos cities with stations in Carmen, Panabo, Mudiang, Ma-a, Toril, and Sta. Cruz. It will reduce the travel time from 3.5 hours to 1.3 hours.
