Construction of Mindanao Railway System Phase 1 to Start in 2017

15 Aug Construction of Mindanao Railway System Phase 1 to Start in 2017

Image Source | philippinediaryproject.com

According to the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA), the construction of the Phase 1 of the Mindanao Railway System will start next year, 2017, of which is the administration of Duterte’s top priority infrastructure project.

The said 124.65-kilometer circumferential railway system, to be funded with P86 billion in approximation by the government, will be built in six phases. And Senator Sonny Angara has already filed a bill last month creating the state-owned Mindanao Railways Corporation.

The first phase which is in Northern Mindanao will cover the Cagayan de Oro and Iligan Corridor (from the municipality of Jasaan, Misamis Oriental to Linamon, Lanao del Norte) and will continue its construction from Jasaan, MisOr to Nasipit, Agusan del Norte passing through the city of Gingoog.

The second phase which is in CARAGA region will start in Nasipit, Agusan del Norte to Surigao City passing through Butuan City.

Connecting CARAGA region and Davao region is the third phase which will start from Butuan City and Prosperidad, Agusan del Norte to Davao del Norte’s Tagum City, extending up to Davao City.

SOCCSKSARGEN will be covered by the Phase 4 starting from Cotabato City to General Santos City, extending up to Malungon in Sarangani province.

Phase 5 will cover the Western Mindanao starting in Zamboanga City to Aurora, Zamboanga del Sur passing through Ipil, Zamboanga Sibugay and Dipolog City. It will then be connected to the 1st phase, specifically in Linamon, Lanao del Norte of Northern Mindanao, and to another track connecting Cotabato City (Phase 4).

And the final phase, the Phase 6 will start in the city of Cagayan de Oro to Malungon, Sarangani connecting Phase 4’s Gensan – Cotabato. It will also cover the key cities such as the cities of Malaybalay, Valencia, and Damulog in Bukidnon, then cities of Davao and Digos of Davao del Sur.

The railway station’s main points will be Cagayan de Oro and Davao City.

This project is of great importance for the island’s economic development for it would improve inter-island connectivity through linking major cities such as Butuan, Davao, Iligan Zamboanga, General Santos, Surigao, Butuan and Cagayan de Oro. With this, the level of exchange in terms of products, good and the people will greatly increase.