PH to gauge 2 regional train plans for PPP viability

Two regional train projects proposed to be undertaken via a public-private partnership (PPP) scheme have secured funding for their respective feasibility studies, which are meant to ensure that the government is able to keep up with its infrastructure targets.

The PPP Center of the Philippines, in a statement, said the Mindanao Railway Project Phase 3 and the San Mateo Railway Project were granted P100 million each by the Project Development and Monitoring Facility (PDMF). The studies aim to determine the alignment of the railways, number of stations and other deliverables.

The PDMF is a revolving fund managed by the PPP Center to support infrastructure projects in the country.

“Once the project studies are completed, the projects will be submitted for the approval of the Investment Coordination Committee to confirm their viability for PPP implementation,” the agency said.

The proposed 54.8-kilometer Northern Mindanao segment of the Mindanao Railway System railway project links Cagayan de Oro to Laguindingan and Villanueva, Misamis Oriental.

The San Mateo project is a 17-km railway connecting Light Rail Transit Line 2 to San Mateo and Rodriguez, Rizal.

Transport Assistant Secretary Leonel De Velez had raised the need for more railways to support growth in the countryside.

He noted only 14 out of 81 provinces have operational or investment-approved inter-regional railways. INQ