By Frances Mae Macapagat
DAVAO CITY, Nov 16 (PIA) – Mindanao Development Authority Board representative for business sector Vicente Lao asked the government for the prioritization in implementing the Trans-Mindanao High Speed Railway as logistics play an important role in the export of Mindanao products.
Following the 11th Mindanao Development Authority Board of Directors Meeting held today at the MinDA Office, Lao pushed for the implementation of the project and suggested that the railway must connect the farms up to the port. This will result to cheaper transportation cost and an advantage for Mindanao businesses in the export market.
The Trans-Mindanao High Speed Railway will span the entire Mindanao, traverse series of cities and provinces and connect one area to another to form a Mindanao-wide rail network. It involves the construction of modern railway stations in strategic areas.
The rail will have 18 segments with a total length of 2,277.56 kilometers, with 12 main stations designed with compatible land uses like housing and industrial parks.
MinDA Assistant Secretary Romeo Montenegro said that the construction of the rail will start in Tagum City next year once the right of way acquisition is completed.
“Its timeline remains with the Department of Transportation (DOTr) while MinDA does coordination to all other sectors pursuing all other segments to make sure that government will not have to wait for one phase to finish before proceeding to another phase. MinDA is looking for potential investors to conduct the feasibility study and securing possible funds for all other segments.”, he said.
The Mindanao railway is one of the Mindanao Development Corridors Catalytic projects. (PIA/FGM)
