Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, February 24) — The China-funded Mindanao Railway project is seen to start partial operations in March 2022, a transportation official said on Wednesday.
Transportation Assistant Secretary Eymard Eje told a briefing that they intend to complete the stations in Panabo and Carmen by next year despite delay in its procurement process.
“Totoo po na nagkaroon ng delay. Ito lamang po ay dahil sa mga dokumentong nire-require po sa atin ng atin pong mga counterparts,” he explained, adding that these were already addressed by the department.
[Translation: It is true there was a delay, but this is only because of the documents being required by our counterparts.]
Eje said Mindanao Railway needs to procure for a project management consultant and a design and build contractor. He noted that procurement process for the first one is ongoing, while for the latter, they are still waiting for the shortlist of companies from the Chinese government to start the process.
He said this will be followed by loan processing, then the formulation of a detailed engineering design that will take three to six months prior to the actual construction.
This railway system will be a single-track, non-electrified railway that will be consisted of eight stations in Tagum, Carmen, Panabo, Sta. Cruz, Digos, and three in Davao City. It is seen to transport 134,060 daily passengers in 2022, which will increase to 375,134 by 2042.
It is expected to reduce travel time from Tagum City, Davao del Norte to Digos City, Davao del Sur from 3.5 hours to 1.3 hours once it starts operating.
