CAGAYAN de Oro City 2nd District Rep. Rufus Rodriguez revived his proposed House Bill 1463, which he submitted in 2022, creating the Mindanao Railways Corporation to manage and operate the Mindanao Railway Project.
The proposal was revived in the presentation of the Mindanao Development Authority before the House Committee on Mindanao Affairs at the Batasang Pambansa Complex in Quezon City on Tuesday, Feb. 4.
The MRC seeks to streamline project execution and bring Mindanao closer to realizing its long-awaited railway system.
Under House Bill 1463, the corporation will be chaired by the Mindanao Development Authority (MinDA) and headquartered in Cagayan de Oro City, with branches across the country.
“The Mindanao Railway is a game-changer, but its management must be in the hands of those who truly understand Mindanao’s needs. MinDA is best positioned to oversee this initiative,” Rodriguez stressed.
The Mindanao Railway Project is among the eight projects in the Infrastructure Flagship Project (IFP) list in Davao Region endorsed by the Regional Development Council XI.
In the press release of MinDA on Feb. 6, Secretary Leo Tereso A. Magno reiterated the MRP as a key infrastructure initiative under the Mindanao Agenda 2023-2028.
“We envision a railway system that enhances Mindanao’s inherent strengths. With robust infrastructure and policy support, we can ensure the productivity and sustainability of our industries, directly contributing to the region’s economic growth,” Magno said.
MRP, whose first phase is the 102-kilometer Tagum-Davao-Digos (TDD) segment covering 100 kilometers with eight railway stations and two depots, is expected to reduce travel time from three hours to an hour.
Under House Bill 1463, the MRC is mandated to oversee the operation and maintenance of the railway system; sustain expansion to meet transportation demands; coordinate with stakeholders for seamless project implementation; and develop policies in line with Mindanao’s long-term growth and connectivity goals.
At present, the Tagum-Davao-Digos segment (Phase 1) has already secured government funding, while the Laguindingan-Cagayan de Oro-Villanueva, Misamis Oriental segment (Phase 3) has received approval for a feasibility study.
The secretary assured lawmakers that MinDA is working closely with the Department of Transportation (DOTr) to finalize the railway’s design, to ensure it meets current transportation demand and is open for future expansions.
