The Department of Transportation plans to break ground on the Tagum-Davao-Digos segment, or Phase 1 of the Mindanao Railway Project, by the first quarter of 2020.
DOTr Secretary Arthur Tugade said board approval of the National Economic and Development Authority the brought the Mindanao Railway Project closer to realization.
“This builds on the dream of President Rodrigo Duterte to generate development in Mindanao through an efficient rail system that will not only move people throughout the island of Mindanao, but will also generate needed economic growth,” Tugade said.
The MRP-TDD is the first phase of the proposed 830-kilometer MRP Loop. It aims to establish a 74-km at-grade and 26-km elevated (viaduct) commuter railway from Tagum City in Davao del Norte to Digos City in Davao del Sur.
Phase 1 will have eight stations located in Tagum, Carmen, Panabo, Mudiang, Davao, Toril, Sta. Cruz, and Digos.
Department of Public Works and Highways Secretary and Government Infrastructure Cluster head Mark Villar positively noted the NEDA board’s decision.
“This project will surely benefit those who call Mindanao their home, and also those doing business in the island. As the first railway to be built outside of Luzon, the MRP will transform the socio-economic landscape of Mindanao,” Villar said.
Presidential Adviser for Flagship Programs and Projects, Secretary Vince Dizon stressed the President’s vision of spurring economic growth throughout the country through infrastructure development.
“The BBB Program has one clear aspiration, that is, to spread development not just in major urban centers but throughout the country. The Mindanao Railway Project as a major transport infrastructure development is part of the realization of this goal,” Secretary Dizon stated.
Phase 1 of the Mindanao Railway Project is designed to accommodate around 130,000 passengers a day in its first year of full operations. Once fully operational, travel time between Tagum City to Digos City will be reduced from current 3.5 hours to just 1.3 hours.
Partial operations of the Tagum-Davao line are scheduled by the second quarter of 2022 while full operations of the Tagum-Davao-Digos line will be in the fourth quarter of 2022.
