The railway project will integrate key infrastructure, including Laguindingan International Airport, the Port of Cagayan de Oro City, and the Mindanao Container Port, positioning it as a linchpin for regional trade and mobility.(Pixabay)
The completion of the feasibility study for the third phase of the transformative Mindanao Railway project is expected by the first quarter, according to the Public-Private Partnership (PPP) Center. This milestone promises to unlock new opportunities for connectivity, commerce, and regional development in Mindanao—a region often overlooked in the country’s infrastructure boom.
“Phase 3 of the Mindanao Railway project will be for PPP. Right now, it is in the feasibility study stage. Our target to complete this is by the first quarter,” said Jeffrey I. Manalo, Deputy Executive Director of the PPP Center, during a briefing last week.
Phases one and two of the railway will be funded through official development assistance (ODA). The phase three—a crucial segment connecting key economic hubs—will tap into the power of private sector investment. This strategic decision not only accelerates the project’s timeline but also ensures sustainable financing for a system that Mindanaoans have long dreamed of.
Railway Project to Connect and Empower Mindanao
Spanning 54.8 kilometers, phase three of the Mindanao Railway will serve as a high-capacity passenger and cargo rail system linking Cagayan de Oro’s industrial and commercial centers. It will connect major infrastructures such as the Laguindingan International Airport, the Port of Cagayan de Oro, and the Mindanao Container Terminal. With an estimated cost of PHP 100.64 billion, this project has the potential to revolutionize transport and logistics in Mindanao, bringing faster travel and more efficient movement of goods.
This isn’t just a railway; it’s a catalyst for economic growth. Businesses will benefit from reduced logistics costs and enhanced market access by improving connectivity between ports, airports, and industrial zones. It could spur investments, create jobs, and ultimately uplift communities across the region.
Public-Private Partnership
The significance of the PPP model for phase three cannot be overstated.
Projects with budgets exceeding PHP 15 billion require approval from the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA), Manalo explained.
The government, involving the private sector, can fast-track development and ensure accountability and efficiency in delivering a modern railway system.
Transportation Secretary Jaime J. Bautista has also highlighted the importance of exploring diverse funding sources. With China’s financing proposals stalled due to delays, the Philippines made the decisive move to drop Beijing as a funding partner for this project and others like the South Long-Haul and Subic-Clark railways. This shift signals a new era of strategic partnerships focused on progress and reliability.
Modern and Environment-Friendly
Earlier this year, the Department of Transportation announced plans to revise the original Mindanao Railway blueprint.
The updated design aims to make the project not only modern but also environment-friendly. This commitment to sustainability ensures that Mindanao’s growth will be both responsible and forward-thinking, protecting the region’s rich natural resources for future generations.
What This Means for Mindanao
For too long, Mindanao has been left behind in the national conversation on infrastructure. This railway project is more than just steel tracks and trains—it’s a symbol of inclusion, progress, and hope. Reliable transport will connect people, products, and ideas, making Mindanao more competitive on both national and global stages.
The completion of the feasibility study marks a pivotal moment. As the train gets ready to roll, it carries with it the aspirations of millions of Mindanaoans who envision a future of better opportunities and seamless connectivity.
Mindanao’s journey is just beginning, and the railway will be its track to prosperity. All aboard for a stronger, more connected Mindanao!
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