The Mindanao Railway Project (MRP) and three more rail projects in the pipeline will likely be pursued by the next administration, according to Department of Transportation.
MRP’s first phase, the Tagum-Davao-Digos segment, was originally set to start partial operations in the first quarter this year or before the end of Duterte administration but construction has not started.
China, which is funding the project through official development assistance (ODA), has not submitted the shortlist of design contractors, according to Timothy John Batan, DOTr undersecretary for railways.
“As soon as we get the China loan arranged, construction works for Mindanao (rail) will progress,” he added.
Other projects under China ODA are the Subic-Clark Railway Project and the Philippine National Railways’ South Long Haul project.
The DOTr has so far completed the procurement of a Chinese contractor for the Subic-Clark railway.
For the Metro Rail Transit line 4 that will connect eastern Metro Manila to the province of Rizal, the procurement will start by 2023.
Batan said 12 rail projects in the pipeline will be turned over to the next administration.
He expressed optimism the next administration will pursue these projects as these went through the investment evaluation and approval process of the National Economic and Development Authority.
“These are viable investments,” Batan said.
The other projects include MRT-7 and North Avenue Common Station in Quezon City, PNR Lucena-San Pablo line, North South Commuter rail project and the Metro Manila Subway project. Myla Iglesias
