Change in House leadership won’t affect projects for Mindanao – MDA

DAVAO CITY — The implementation of big-ticket projects in Mindanao will not be compromised even after the change of leadership in the House of Representatives,

Mindanao Development Authority executive deputy director Romeo Montenegro said on Wednesday.

“It’s just a change of leadership and so far as commitment to transforming Mindanao and making sure these projects are implemented, it remains there whoever assumed the leadership,” Montenegro said in an interview.

Former president and now Pampanga representative Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo replaced ousted Speaker Pantaleon Alvarez moments before President Duterte delivered his 3rd State of the Nation Address (SONA) last July 23.

Montenegro said the implementation of the phase 1 of the Mindanao Railway Project is on track as well as the other large infrastructure projects on the island.

“Regardless of who pushed for this, considering that these are vital Mindanao projects, then we are confident these will be carried on by the new leadership in the House,” he added.

Some R36 billion was approved under the 2018 General Appropriations Act for a one-track, diesel-run locomotive but the Department of Transportation (DOTr) later reverted to its original plan of a two-track electricity-run railway worth R86 billion.

The government will start the negotiation with property owners this year for the settlement of road right of way in the implementation of the phase 1 of the Mindanao Railway Project, Montenegro said.

He said the government allotted P9 billion to acquire the properties that would be in the path of the train that will run 102 kilometers from Tagum, to Davao City, and to Digos City.

The first segment will comprise eight stations, namely: Tagum; Carmen; Panabo; Mudiang (in Bunawan, Davao City); Davao Terminal; Toril; Sta. Cruz; and Digos. A 10-hectare depot will be built in Tagum.

The government targets to complete the acquisition within the year, he said.