THE Department of Transportation (DOTr) is revamping the feasibility study for the Mindanao Railway, prioritizing the development of a more environmentally friendly railway system.

"We need to finalize the Mindanao Railway Project study. The original study proposed using diesel-powered trains. However, we should consider adopting a more modern and eco-friendly train system," Transportation Secretary Jaime Bautista said.

"Our consultants are currently evaluating various options," he added.

Bautista said the study would be completed within the Marcos administration.

The Transportation chief earlier said the agency was coordinating with the Department of Finance in seeking alternative funding sources, such as official development assistance (ODA) from other foreign governments and international financial institutions, after China's withdrawal of financial support for the project.

The P81.6-billion Phase 1 of the Mindanao Railway Project has a length of 100.2 kilometers, consisting of eight stations. Once operational, the rail line is expected to serve 122,000 passengers daily and reduce travel time from Tagum City to Digos City to an hour from the current three hours.

Once the entire Mindanao Railway Project is completed, the 1,544-kilometer rail system will connect key provinces such as Davao, General Santos, Cagayan de Oro, Iligan, Cotabato, Zamboanga, Butuan, Surigao and Malaybalay and pump prime Mindanao's economy.

The massive Mindanao Railway Project, the first outside Luzon, is one of the big-ticket infrastructure projects of the Duterte administration under its Build, Build, Build program.

It was designed to help improve inter-island connectivity and boost economic development in Mindanao. TMT

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