Mindanao railway project awaits China funding

MANILA, Philippines — The Mindanao railway project has yet to take off as it continues to await funding commitment from the Chinese government.

Transportation Secretary Arthur Tugade said a loan agreement between China and the Philippines, which will finance the construction of the project, has yet to be signed.

Design and construction of the project was earlier targeted to begin by the third quarter.

“The plan really is that the funding is from China,” Tugade said in a press briefing in Malacañang yesterday.

Tugade said Phase 1 of the Mindanao railway project, which will cover the Tagum-Davao-Digos segment, is expected to be completed within the term of President Duterte.

He said bidding documents for the project have already been made, but actual bidding has been delayed due to some changes.

The railway project is now being envisioned as a two-track, electric, and standard train system, instead of a previously single-track system with diesel trains.

“If you will do this in Central Luzon, why will it be single-track for Mindanao? Why diesel for Mindanao? I don’t want that. What Central Luzon will have, Mindanao must also have,” Tugade said.

Meanwhile, Tugade said the Metro Manila Subway Project is on track as formal construction is eyed to commence before the year ends.

Last March, an agreement was signed for a P51 billion Japan International Cooperation Agency loan to the Philippine government for the construction of the Metro Manila Subway Project (Phase 1).