The Regional Development Council 11 (RDC 11) has expressed openness to possible Japanese funding for the long-delayed Mindanao Railway Project (MRP), saying the region would welcome any financing proposal that could speed up its implementation.
Davao del Norte Governor Edwin Jubahib, RDC 11 chairperson, said Japan was the country he knew to have expressed interest in supporting the multibillion-peso infrastructure project, although no funding agreement or commitment has been finalized.
In September, Japanese Consul General in Davao Ono Hirotaka said Japan was open to studying possible funding assistance for the railway if formally requested by the Philippine government. He made the statement during the Japan-Philippines Friendship Kadayawan Matsuri Night in Davao City.
“If yung Japan ay mag-offer na gawin nila lahat, bakit hindi tayo susuporta? Lahat tayo payag kasi para sa atin ito sa Mindanao,” Jubahib said in an interview during the Mindanao Development Forum 2026 in Davao City on Tuesday.
Jubahib said discussions involving Japan had included Mayor Sebastian “Baste” Duterte, adding that regional officials would welcome whichever financing proposal could move forward first.
“Kung saan ang mauna, ’di ba? So, kung ang Japan naman and the other countries, mag-pledge na sila na ang mag-fund. Masaya tayo diyan,” he said.
He explained that the national government’s current funding efforts are focused on continuing the railway’s feasibility study and acquiring the land needed for the project.
Jubahib said a comprehensive financing offer from Japan could provide an alternative means of advancing the project, provided the proposal moves forward.
Meanwhile, regional officials are pushing for the inclusion of funds for the continuation of the feasibility study in the 2027 General Appropriations Act (GAA).
Jubahib said Mindanao Development Authority (MinDA) Secretary Leo Tereso Magno and RDC 11 officials are seeking funding for the study covering four railway segments.
“For this coming year 2027, magkaroon ng budget for the continue of feasibility study. Yun ang hinahabol natin sa DBM na makasama sa GAA yung feasibility study,” he said.
According to Jubahib, funding for the feasibility study was included in the House-approved version of the proposed 2027 national budget. However, he said its inclusion in the final GAA still needs to be confirmed.
“So far ang update pa naman ay nandoon yung budget pero tingnan natin. Kasi alam mo naman yung budget is, ang final, is yung sa GAA kaya hintayin natin,” he said.
Jubahib said regional officials are targeting 2028 for the implementation of the necessary budget to advance the railway project.
“Ang target natin dapat ma-implement kaagad yung budget para sa 2028. Ito na yung starting for the proper budget for for the Mindanao railway,” he said.
Among the proposed priorities are the Tagum-Davao-Digos (TDD) segment in southeastern Mindanao and a northern connection from Cagayan de Oro to Misamis Occidental.
Jubahib said pursuing railway development in both areas would help ensure a more balanced approach across Mindanao instead of concentrating initial efforts in only one part of the island.
