THE Department of Transportation (DOTr) is exploring financing from India and France for the long-stalled Mindanao Railway project, with bidding expected to be completed in 2027.
Acting Transportation Secretary Giovanni Lopez said the agency discussed possible funding with the Indian government in September, and has also pitched the project to other countries.
France has expressed interest, Lopez told reporters on Monday at the Economic Journalists Association of the Philippines’ infrastructure forum.
The proposed Mindanao Railway is a 1,544-kilometer network envisioned to connect key areas across the island. Its first phase will cover 102 kilometers, with eight stations linking Tagum, Davao and Digos cities.
The project was initially expected to receive Chinese financing. In 2023, however, the Philippines withdrew its request for official development assistance after Beijing failed to act on the proposed loan.
Despite the financing setback, Lopez said the project continues to attract interest from potential investors and lenders.
The DOTr is focusing on completing right-of-way acquisitions to move the railway project forward.
Lopez said the absence of condominium developments along the route makes land acquisition less complicated and adds to the project’s appeal to prospective financiers.
Once operational, the first phase is expected to cut travel time between Tagum and Digos from three hours to one and serve 122,000 passengers daily.
