First Mindanao railway under study – DOTr

MANILA, Philippines — The government will soon come up with a proposed railway in Northern Mindanao as it aggressively pushes new infrastructure for the island.

The Department of Transportation (DOTr) is starting work on the third segment of the first-ever rail line in Mindanao, tapping the joint venture of Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu India LLP and ASA Law for the conduct of the pre-feasibility study for the Mindanao Railway Phase 3.

The Deloitte-ASA joint venture is tasked to deliver project preparation services for a preliminary assessment on the viability of the Mindanao Railway Phase 3.

A project brief from the Public-Private Partnership Center states that the Mindanao Railway Phase 3 will span 54.8 kilometers starting from the Laguindingan Airport. It will pass through cities and towns across Northern Mindanao, including Cagayan de Oro City.

The Mindanao Railway Phase 3 will feature not only passenger services, but also cargo transit, as it will be connected to ports in the region to boost trade activities.

Transportation Secretary Jaime Bautista said the DOTr is committed to prioritizing the delivery of transport projects in Mindanao. He said such projects improve the economic conditions in areas they cover.

Transportation Assistant Secretary Jorjette Aquino added that mobility projects also generate job opportunities and speed up economic growth.

Apart from rail developments, the DOTr is upgrading multiple airports in Mindanao to promote inter-island travel. It is expanding the passenger terminal building of the Laguindingan Airport to raise the capacity of the second busiest gateway in Mindanao.

The first part of the Mindanao Railway Project was supposed to be funded by Chinese loans, but the government withdrew its request for funding amid the lack of progress in negotiations.

Since then, the project has yet to make any progress, with the government searching for a new funding source, pitching the railway to traditional partners like Japan and the US.