The long-stalled Mindanao Railway Project (MRP) is gaining renewed momentum after the national government decided to finance its initial phase through the General Appropriations Act (GAA), signaling a major push to strengthen connectivity and spur economic growth across Mindanao.
During the recently held Special Brunei Darussalam–Indonesia–Malaysia–Philippines East ASEAN Growth Area (BIMP-EAGA) Summit in Cebu City, Mindanao Development Authority (MinDA) Chairperson and Philippine Signing Minister for BIMP-EAGA Secretary Leo Tereso Magno announced that Department of Economy, Planning, and Development (DEPDev) Secretary Arsenio Balisacan confirmed the advancement of the project’s first segment — the Tagum-Davao-Digos (TDD) line.
Magno said the Department of Transportation (DoTr) has been instructed to expedite right-of-way acquisition and procurement activities to fast-track implementation.
He described the railway as a vital infrastructure project that could reshape Mindanao’s economic landscape.
“The Mindanao Railway Project is a game-changer for the island. It will link major cities and provinces, allowing faster and more efficient movement of people and goods. This will stimulate economic activity while improving the daily lives of Mindanaoans,” Magno said.
He emphasized that the railway initiative forms part of MinDA’s broader strategy to ensure balanced and coordinated development throughout Mindanao.
“We want development to be inclusive. No region should be left behind, and every Mindanaoan should benefit from progress,” he added.
Magno also urged investors and development stakeholders to take advantage of Mindanao’s improving peace and security environment.
“For decades, Mindanao struggled with a negative image. But in recent years, municipalities, cities, provinces, and regions across the island have become practically insurgency-free. Peace now prevails in Mindanao,” he said.
Meanwhile, Magno described the Special BIMP-EAGA Summit as a milestone for regional cooperation among Brunei Darussalam, Indonesia, Malaysia, and the Philippines. Leaders during the summit adopted the BIMP-EAGA Vision 2035, which aims to promote inclusive growth and stronger economic integration in underserved areas such as Mindanao and Palawan.
According to Magno, the summit, approved by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., reinforced earlier regional commitments and advanced the framework established in previous discussions.
From 2025 to 2026, the four member countries conducted a series of consultations with support from the Asian Development Bank (ADB) to develop a more detailed roadmap for the sub-region’s future direction.
Magno said the initiative reflects stronger coordination among member economies toward achieving inclusive development, resilience, and long-term regional stability.
At the close of the summit, the four leaders formally adopted a joint statement outlining the next phase of cooperation under the BIMP-EAGA Vision 2035 framework.
