THE Phase 1 of the Mindanao Railway Project (MRP), which is the Tagum-Davao-Digos Segment, has been recently approved by the National Economic and Development Authority Board (Neda) at Malacañang on Tuesday, June 27.
The project will be implemented by the Department of Transportation (DOTr) and will have an estimated project cost of about P35.26 billion, which will be financed through local financing.
According to Neda, the first phase of the project involves the establishment of a 102.28km commuter railway from Tagum City, Davao del Norte to Digos City, Davao del Sur. The construction for Phase 1 is targeted to begin by the third quarter of 2018.
The DOTr said in a statement that the project will have eight stations: Tagum City, Carmen, Panabo City, Mudiang, Davao Terminal, Toril, Sta. Cruz, and Digos City.
"Once completed, the entire Mindanao Railway System will run for a total of 1,532-km, connecting Davao provinces, Iligan, Cagayan de Oro, General Santos, and Zamboanga," said DOTr.
The MRP was among the 11 projects that were approved on Tuesday by the Neda Board, which also includes the Malolos-Clark Railway Project (PNR North 2); Cavite Industrial Area Flood Risk Management Project; Clark International Airport (CIA) Expansion Project; Education Pathways to Peace in Conflict-Affected Areas of Mindanao (Pathways); Australia Awards and Alumni Engagement Program–Philippines; Project Approval and Change in Financing of Chico River Pump Irrigation Project.
The board also approved New Communications, Navigation and Surveillance/Air Traffic Management (CNS/ATM) Systems Development Project: 30-Month Loan Validity Extension and Reallocation of Funds; New Configuration of the LRT Line 1 North Extension Project – Common Station/Unified Grand Central Station (North Extension Project); Change in Scope, Cost, and Financing Arrangements for the Arterial Road Bypass Project Phase II; and Change in Financing of the New Centennial Water Source–Kaliwa Dam Project.
"Eight of these projects will be financed through Official Development Assistance, and three will be locally funded through the General Appropriations Act," Neda said in a statement.
The board also approved the National Transport Policy, which aims to unify all transport-related projects in the country.