PROPERTIES RUN OVER?

Some establishments and properties owned by major firms might also be affected by the soon to begin Mindanao Railway Project

Aside from the 23 barangays and 10 subdivisions, the Mindanao Railway Project Tagum-Digos-Davao (MRP TDD) will also affect some major properties and establishments in Davao City.

Based on the report of the Department of Transportation (DOTr), affected properties are Holcim Philippines, Alsons Development projects, Davao Town Plaza, South Pacific Golf Course, RDL Pharmaceutical Lab., Inc., Sta. Lucia Land, Inc., and some properties of Dennis Uy.

During Monday’s city council session, the DOTr presented three options of realignment between Mudiang and Davao stations to avoid the above-mentioned properties and developments.

Option A will avoid most of the major developments except the RDL but its construction cost for length will increase by 0.7 kilometers. Option B will also avoid most of the major developments except the RDL but it will demand higher extra cost because of a route increase by one kilometer.

DOTr Assistant Secretary Eymard D. Eje said the most preferred option for realignment is option C because even if it will demand higher extra cost for route increase by 1.1 kilometer, it will avoid all the key developments except portion of Holcim Philippines.

However, these options are still under feasibility studies and do not give assurance that the major developments will not be affected at all.

“It has always been the objective of the government, local or national, na as much as possible ay we should avoid yung mga maraming maapektuhan,” committee on public works and highways chairperson Councilor Jesus Joseph Zozobrado said in a phone interview with SunStar Davao yesterday.

“We are trying to find mitigating steps or actions para hangga’t maaari ay kokonti lang ang maapektuhan at ma-relocate,” he added.

Zozobrado said that DOTr was supposed to finalize the project by February 2019.

“We are reminding DOTr, specifically Arup (engineering and design company), to always coordinate with the local government para merong proper na consultation and none will be left behind,” he said.

It was earlier reported that affected barangays are Ma-a, Bago Oshiro, Sirawan, Marapangi, Lubogan, Buinugao, Crossing Bayabas, Baracatan, Bankas Heights, Magtuod, Langub, Catalunan Pequeño, Catalunan Grande, Baliok, Tibungco, San Isidro, Mudiang, Mahayag, Waan, Tigato, Indangan, Cabantian and Buhangin.

Meanwhile, affected subdivisions are Monteritz Subdivision, New Ecoland Subdivision, Nortown and Northcrest of Alsons Development, Deca Homes-Buhangin, Narra Park Residences, Alta Monte Davao, South Pacific Residental Estate in Mintal, portions of Deca Homes in Catalunan Grande, Villa Señorita, and Garden Heights.