SunStar
File photo May 09, 2021 WITH only months before the targeted construction of the first phase of the Mindanao Railway Project (MRP)-Tagum-Davao-Digos (TDD) Segment, an official from the Department of Transportation (DOTr) admitted that some land-property owners are still not cooperative in submitting their properties to give way for the railway.
MRP Project Manager Lawyer Clipton Solamo said in a radio interview on Friday, May 7, that the big ticket project is currently at its road right of way (RROW) site acquisition phase, while construction is targeted to start in the third quarter this year.
Once the RROW is completed, construction will commence, he said.
SunStar
Photo from DOTr Facebook page
+ April 30, 2021 A GOVERNMENT official said the Department of Transportation (DOTr) assured that the Mindanao Railway Project-Tagum-Davao-Digos (MRP-TDD) Segment will partially operate before President Rodrigo Duterte steps down in mid-2022. DOTr Secretary [Arthur] Tugade committed to have partial operability of this MRP-TDD [Segment] by the time President Duterte steps down, National Economic and Development Authority (Neda)-Davao Director Maria Lourdes Lim said during the 2020 Economic Performance of Davao Region virtual presser on Thursday, April 29.
Based on the information provided by DOTr, Lim said the big ticket project is currently at its road right of way (RROW)-acquisition phase.
Philippine Church decries government lifting ban on mining
Caritas Philippines and several bishops are decrying the lifting of the moratorium on mining in the country, saying it will have a “devastating effect on marginalized communities”.
By Robin Gomes
Caritas Philippines, the social arm of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP), as well as several bishops have criticized President Rodrigo Duterte s decision to lift a nine-year moratorium on new mining deals. They say the move will likely have a catastrophic effect on poor and marginalized communities.
Duterte signed an Executive Order on April 14, lifting a 9-year moratorium on new mining deals imposed in 2012 by former President Benigno Aquino III, who called on government authorities to check and renegotiate contracts with mining firms in cases of environmental abuse. Aquino’s moratorium also provided a respite to the environment to regenerate its depleting flora and fauna.