The target groundbreaking for the Mindanao Railway Project Tagum-Davao-Digos (MRP-TDD) has been moved from late 2019 to early 2020.
Department of Transportation (DoTr) Assistant Secretary Eymar Eje said issues behind National Economic Development Authority's (Neda's) approval of the project caused the delay.
He, too, admitted that the right of way issues of housing property owners in Davao City also took awhile to settle. He was thankful that the matter did not have to reach the courts.
When the Mindanao Railway Project was first introduced by President Rodrigo R. Duterte during his first State of the Nation Address (Sona) in 2016, Mindanaoans were elated and excited about this new mode of transportation that is hoped to address the growing traffic congestion problem.
Who wouldn't want transit systems that could ease the stress of commuters wanting to go from one province to another. Dabawenyos would love going to Tagum City or Digos City in just about 30 minutes or less.
However, with progress come sacrifices. At times the very people who first lauded the idea of the railway project may end up being the ones opposing it as they might have to give up their very own homes, lots or areas where they source their livelihood.
That's why government agencies involved in this project need to study all aspects and make sure that all stakeholders are consulted.
For DoTr to delay the start of the construction of the (MRP-TDD) is understandable. After all, haste makes waste. We wouldn't want that to happen, especially when well-being of people is at stake.