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DAVAO CITY (MindaNews/14 Feb) – The Mindanao Railway System will be the priority project of the first ever Mindanawon Speaker of the House of Representatives, Prospero Castillo Nograles.
In his first press conference here since assuming the speakership on February 5, Nograles said he cannot promise he can make the railway system happen in two years but “I will give it my best shot.”
Mindanao’s representatives have signed a resolution to make the Mindanao Railway System a priority.
Nograles said the first thing they have to do now is to make a feasibility study on the project and after they will have to “go out and seek foreign assistance.”
Nograles explained that a railway system that will connect all of Mindanao is such a huge project that foreign fund is needed.
The railway system has always been promised by administrations since the Marcos era.
“Hindi na papayag ang mga congressmen galing sa Mindanao na may iba pang railway na itatayo sa Pilipinas na hindi sa Mindanao (Mindanao congressmen will not allow it that there will be another railway that will be built in the Philippines that is not in Mindanao),” he said.
Nograles vowed to prioritize projects in Mindanao. He said Mindanao representatives will meet here in Davao City in April to discuss plans and projects for the island.
Nograles said they will invite the Mindanao Economic Development Council (MEDCO) to present their projects for Mindanao so they will know what projects to support.
He said they will choose projects that are doable in two years.
Nograles also said they will implement projects where the problem is “to be able make the peace process acceptable to everybody.” He did not elaborate. (MindaNews)
