Manila: Acting Transportation Secretary Giovanni Lopez has ordered the immediate processing of payments to landowners for the right-of-way (ROW) acquisition related to the Mindanao Railway Project (MRP).

According to Philippines News Agency, President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. has instructed the Department of Transportation (DOTr) to speed up the land acquisition for the MRP. As of now, 3,291 or 92 percent of the Notice of Taking (NOT) have been served out of the 3,548 parcels located in Davao, Panabo, Tagum, Carmen, Santa Cruz, and Digos. Additionally, 1,105 Offers to Buy (OTB) have been accepted, and 381 landowners have signed a deed of sale.

Lopez emphasized the importance of following the correct process despite the urgency. "We've been waiting a long time for the MRP because it will have a big impact on connectivity and mobility of Mindanaoans," he stated, noting that funding for the MRP's land acquisition is already secured. He also mentioned that the project's feasibility study is being updated to ensure its viability and sustainability.

Lopez expressed gratitude to local government partners for their assistance in accelerating the project. Transportation Assistant Secretary for Right of Way and Site Acquisition (ROWSA) Irish Calaguas has been in direct coordination with local officials to provide updates on the MRP implementation. Key local government partners include Tagum City Mayor Rey Uy, Davao Del Norte 1st District Representative De Carlo Uy, Carmen City Administrator Jerry Nalupa, and Panabo City Administrator Pedrito Misoles. Calaguas has also communicated with Davao del Sur officials, including Digos City Vice Mayor Johari Bana and Santa Cruz Municipality Mayor Jose Nelson Sala.