The study of phase 3 of the Mindanao Railway should be completed in the first quarter

The Public-Private Partnership (PPP) Center said it is awaiting the completion of the feasibility study for the third phase of the Mindanao Railway project. fithe first quarter.

“Phase 3 of the Mindanao Railway project will be PPP. Currently, it is in the feasibility study stage. Our goal to complete this is fithe first quarter,” Deputy Director General of the PPP Center JeffRey I. Manalo told reporters on the side of Briefilast week.

Only the third phase of the Mindanao Railway project is being considered for PPP, Mr. Manalo said, noting that the first and second phases are still to be funded throughficommunity development assistance.

“The next step is that, based on the study, (finalize) the project documents and submit it to the approval board depending on the final terms,” ​​he said, noting that projects costing more than P15 billion require approval from the National Economic. and Development Authority.

Last month, Transportation Secretary Jaime J. Bautista said his department is currently reviewing the rail system.

He said the Ministry of Transport is looking at other ways to make money, including contacting private companies.

Phase 3 of the Mindanao Railway Project is a 54.8-kilometer high-speed, inter-city passenger and freight rail system that connects the industrial and commercial centers of Cagayan de Oro, according to the PPP Center website.

Phase 3 of the Mindanao Railway project has an estimated project cost of P100.64 billion and will be procured through solicited mode, according to the PPP Center.

The railway will connect important infrastructure such as the Laguindingan International Airport, the port of Cagayan de Oro City, and the Mindanao Container port.

The Philippines has rejected China as a funding source for the Mindanao Railway project, the South Long-Haul railway, and the Subic-Clark Railway, due to a lack of progress. fidecisions made by Beijing.

Earlier this year, the Department of Transportation said it was finalizing the review of the preliminary study of the Mindanao Railway to make the project more modern and environmentally friendly. – Ashley Erika O. Jose