Mindanao’s Regional Development Councils (RDCs) are pushing for a double-track, electrified Mindanao Railway Project (MRP) that will carry both passengers and cargo, according to Davao del Norte Governor and RDC 11 Chairman Edwin Jubahib.
In an interview, Jubahib said RDCs across Mindanao, together with the Mindanao Development Authority (MinDA), have agreed to recommend the system instead of a single-track railway.
“Ang recommendation sa tanang RDC for Mindanao, kami tanan nagkahiusa nga i-recommend namo nga double track and electrified. Electrified, and then passengers and cargo,” he said.
Jubahib said the railway is now at the feasibility study stage after the national government approved funding for the study.
“Naa na ta sa feasibility study kay gi-approve man sa national government nga butangan ug pondo ang feasibility study. Tanan man jud nga mega project, mag-start jud sa feasibility study,” he said.
The Mindanao RDCs have proposed dividing the railway into four segments, although funding may initially cover only two, he said.
“So, four segment gani ang amoang gi-propose, pero murag duha ang matagaan ug budget,” Jubahib said.
He said funding for the feasibility study is expected to be included in the proposed 2027 national budget, which the RDCs are awaiting for finalization.
“Gihulat namo ang budget for finalization sa budget for 2027, kay diri man nimo sulod ang feasibility study budget for railway program,” he said.
Jubahib expressed optimism that the railway and other major infrastructure projects would eventually be implemented.
“Very positive ta nga kaning tanan masugdan ug ma-materialize ning atong mga proposal,” he said.
He said RDC officials from various parts of Mindanao have been working with MinDA Chair Secretary Leo Tereso Magno to lobby for a larger share of the national budget for the island.
Jubahib said the RDCs and MinDA are pushing to increase Mindanao’s share from 11% to 21% in the proposed 2027 budget.
“Last year nakadawat lang ta ug 11% increase, so karon gi-fight through MinDA and RDC that mahitabo ni nga mahimong 21%,” he said.
He said the proposed increase would help fund major projects benefiting Mindanao as a whole rather than projects planned separately for each region.
“Para ni sa mga mega projects nato for the entire Mindanao. So wala na namo gitan-aw nga per region lang, kundi nag-site ta ug common, common project nga makahatag ug katuyuan sa tibook Mindanao,” he said.
Jubahib said RDC representatives from Regions 11, 10 and 9, as well as the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM), have maintained a unified position in seeking greater national funding for Mindanao.
He said the Mindanao railway remains among the major projects that could benefit from increased funding, with the feasibility study serving as a crucial first step toward implementation.
