DAVAO CITY — The hope for the realization of the Mindanao Railway Project (MRP) is alive, this after President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. in his first State of the Nation Address on Monday (SONA) said his administration is committed to finish building the current portfolio of investments.
In said speech, Marcos said. “Approved railway projects such as:
- System… the 33-kilometer Metro Manila Subway
- Project… the 147-kilometer North-South Commuter
- Railway System… the 12-kilometer LRT-1 Cavite Extension…
- the 23-kilometer MRT-7… and the Common
- Station that will connect LRT-1, MRT-3 and MRT-7.
- Beyond NCR, larger scale railway systems like the 102-kilometer Mindanao Railway Project;
- Panay Railway Project; and the Cebu railway system
Will be be integrated as a vital part of our transport and communications systems.
On July 15, 2022, Undersecretary for Railways Cesar Chavez revealed that the MRP was deemed cancelled as the Chine Bank failed to act on it before June 30, 2022, in time for former President Rodrigo Duterte to step down.
The same commitment he gave to improve our roads and transportation systems in key cities throughout the country through various projects such as the Cebu Bus Rapid Transit, Davao High Priority Bus System, Ilocos Norte Transportation Hub, and the El Nido Transport Terminal.
The President has ordered the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) to move “Full Speed Ahead.”
He emphasized “Improving our railway system, along with modernizing existing airports and seaports, will maximize our strategic location in the Pacific. And connect our many islands. “
With the pronouncements, Mindanaoans will just have to wait for its realization.-Editha Z. Caduaya
