Government mulls use of electric train for Mindanao railway

MANILA, Philippines — The government is considering the use of an electric train for the Mindanao Railway, according to the Department of Transportation.

DOTr Secretary Jaime Bautista told reporters on the sidelines of the recent Asia Infrastructure Forum that the government would need to update the feasibility study for the first phase of the Mindanao Railway covering Tagum, Davao del Norte to Digos City, Davao del Sur.

The approval earlier given to the project was based on the use of a diesel-powered train.

Amid the push for electric vehicles, Bautista said the railway system should probably use an electric train.

“We will ask our consultant to prepare a better business case,” he said.

The government is looking for new funding sources for the construction of the Mindanao Railway Phase 1, as well as the Subic-Clark Railway and the Philippine National Railways (PNR) South Long Haul Railway after it withdrew its request for official development assistance from China due to the lack of progress from the Chinese side’s part.

For the Subic-Clark Railway, Bautista said a new study is also needed as the railway would be extended to Manila up to Batangas.

“We’re procuring the consultant to prepare the business case also,” he said.

The railway from Subic to Batangas is among the projects being eyed to spur the development of the Luzon economic corridor.

During the Trilateral Leaders’ Summit last April, leaders of the US, the Philippines and Japan announced they aim to develop the Luzon economic corridor.

Development of the Luzon economic corridor is expected to promote the growth of the country’s semiconductor industry through reduced logistics and energy costs and a favorable policy and regulatory environment.

In addition, the development is expected to improve food security by linking farmers to the market through improved logistics and cold chain storage infrastructure.

Bautista said the government also needs to review the existing study for the PNR South Long Haul Railway.