Tagum gov’t urges 158 landowners affected by Mindanao railway to opt for negotiated sale

OFFICIALS OF the Department of Transportation (DOTr) and the Tagum City government met on Monday with residents who will be affected by the Mindanao Railway System (MRS), urging them to opt for a negotiated sale to get a higher price for their properties than when the government asserts the Doctrine of Expropriation. At the “stakeholders engagement,” Patmei B. Ruivivar, OIC-project manager for the MRS phase 1 covering the Tagum-Davao-Digos segment, explained that the DOTr has only until December this year to hold the funds needed for the negotiated sale for right of way and site acquisition. The MRS is targeted to begin construction by Jan. or Feb. 2019. The Tagum City government, in a statement, said 158 households will be affected. Mayor Allan L. Rellon, who is part of the project steering committee, asked for his constituents’ cooperation saying the government is working to ensure that the MRS implementation is “done in a manner that is more efficient, inclusive and transparent.”