DAVAO CITY – Vice Presidential bet Senator Francis “Chiz” Escudero said he supports the Mindanao Rail Project to expand the region’s productivity and trade competitiveness.
Escudero in a statement on Saturday, April 23 said if their “Gubyernong May Puso” wins the elections they will prioritize the construction of the proposed MRP.
He said the proposed railway transport service will boost tourism, trade and commerce in the country’s second largest island.
“It will also expand local markets for more efficient movement of goods and people to promote productivity and trade competitiveness,” he added.
The National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) is now in the process of conducting a feasibility study for MRP, which would link major cities including Cagayan de Oro, Iligan, Zamboanga, Butuan, Surigao, Davao and General Santos.
Escudero said the planned passenger and freight railway transport development will be made possible through the P1 trillion they will allocate for Mindanao under the national budget.
The tandem of Escudero and Presidential bet Sen. Grace Poe plans to allocate 30 percent of the present national budget, or about P1 trillion, to Mindanao in order to provide immediate economic relief to the region.
“At least P25 billion will be earmarked for each province in Mindanao in the first year of the Poe administration to help them catch up with the projects and developments in the two other major regions,” said Escudero. (davaotoday.com)
