CONSTRUCTION of the Mindanao Rail Project (MRP) is expected to start by the third quarter this year.
The Department of Transportation (DoTr) said in a statement that Phase 1, expected to reduce travel time from Davao del Norte to Davao del Sur from 3.5 hours to just 1.3 hours, is targeted for completion by 2021.
Phase 1 which cost P35.26 billion via general appropriations, is a 105-km line and will have eight stations: Tagum, Carmen, Panabo, Mudiang, Davao Terminal, Toril, Sta. Cruz, and Digos.
Phase 1 of MRP forms part of the entire 1,530-km circumferential and spur rail lines that will connect the Davao provinces, Iligan, Cagayan de Oro, General Santos, and Zamboanga.
The DoF said last month that the government plans to tap a $5-million grant from the Asian Development Bank for funding the preparation activities of Phase 1. — Patrizia Paola C. Marcelo
