Ejercito

JV Ejercito urges gov’t to start construction of Mindanao Railway System

January 23, 2022 Jester P. Manalastas 439 views

SENATORIAL aspirant JV Ejercito urged the national government to commence the construction of the proposed Mindanao Railway System.

Ejercito stressed that the railway system will benefit both the economy and security situation in Mindanao.

“This will surely spread out the development, stimulate economic growth, provide jobs and opportunities to Mindanaoans, which will pave the way to lasting and genuine peace in Mindanao,” he said in a statement.

During the Department of Transportation’s (DOTr) budget hearing at the House of Representatives in September 2021, Transportation Undersecretary for Railways Timothy John Batan said the construction of the project’s first phase, which will connect the cities of Tagum, Davao, and Digos, will start in 2022.

The construction was delayed partly by lockdowns triggered by the COVID-19 pandemic.

In October 2021, the DOTR signed a P3-billion project management deal with the China Railway Design Corporation to kickstart construction of the railway’s first phase.

The former Senator said there is a “huge potential” in investing in railway system development, particularly many remote areas across the country.

“Mula noong ako po ay naging Congressman, nakita ko na po ang potential ng railway system bilang alternative transport system. Hangad po natin na maging reality ito sa iba’t ibang bahagi ng bansa,” he said.