PHILIPPINES: The Department of Transportation has begun the acquisition of properties at a cost of 148m pesos to relocate 178 families from the right of way of the planned Mindanao Railway project.
The first 100 km phase of MRP would serve eight stations on the island of Mindanao, linking Tagum with Digos via island capital Davao.
The 1 435 mm gauge, unelectrified mixed-traffic line is to be designed for 120 km/h operation of passenger trains and 80 km/h running for freight trains.
MRP forms part of the 194 infrastructure projects being promoted under the Build Better More programme of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr, and is currently at the design stage.
MRP was planned to be built with an official development assistance loan provided by the Chinese government and undertaken by Chinese contractors, but in October 2023 the Filipino government formally withdrew the funding request.
If all of the government’s long-term plans come to pass, the rail network in Mindanao could eventually cover more than 1 500 route-km.
