January 16, 2025

Emmanuel "Manny" F. Piñol

Official Website

Mindanao deserves better! “ONE-RAIL DIESEL LOCOMOTIVE OVER TWO RAIL ELECTRIC TRAIN”

Manny Piñol February 13, 2021 2 min read
While nothing much could be done to change the design of the first segment of the Mindanao Railway Project (MRP) which is Mono-Rail Diesel Locomotive, Mindanao leaders during the Mindanao Speaks Up Forum on Tuesday said that the project did not conform with the recommendations of the Regional Development Councils and the Mindanao Development Authority.
The former Chairman of MinDA, the late Abul Khayr Alonto, and the RDCs fought hard for a 2-Rail Electric Train for the initial 100-kilometer segment from Tagum City to Digos City.
This recommendation, however, was overturned by the economic planners in Metro Manila who said that it was too much of an investment for a project which will not yield economic benefits immediately.
So, Mindanao will have to be content with what a former congressman, Celso Lobregat, dubbed as the “Chug-Chug” train to move its people and goods, most of which will feed people of Luzon.
Lest misunderstood, hindi demanding ang taga-Mindanao but I join the multitude from the island who believe that we deserve better.
I hope the remaining segments which will cover the whole island will be what the residents of Mindanao dream of – a modern electric railway system that will boost the economic growth and productivity of the region.
Help us, support us, fund us. Mindanao will deliver.
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