Former Senator JV Ejercito (Photo from his Facebook account)
MANILA, Philippines – Former senator Joseph Victor “JV” Ejercito believes that improving Mindanao’s infrastructure will further spur economic activity in the resource-rich island.
Ejercito, a senatorial candidate in the May 9 elections said that among others, the construction of the Mindanao railway system will promote economic development in conflict-stricken areas and “pave the way for genuine and lasting peace.”
“Malaking bagay kaya kung maisama pa natin ang railway system dito, nako, talagang sisigla, uusbong ang ekonomiya ng Mindanao. Mawawala na rin, sa tingin ko, ang kaguluhan dito in the next decades,” said Ejercito.
The government has recently awarded the project management consultancy contract of the Mindanao Railway Project Phase 1 to China Railway Design Corp. and Guangzhou Wanan Construction Supervision Co., Ltd.
The Department of Transportation hopes to start construction work in April this year and aims to begin partial operations (Tagum-Carmen section) in October 2022, followed by full operations (Tagum-Davao-Digos) in October next year.
Ejercito also said Mindanao is in the best position to be one of Asia’s most valuable sources of agricultural products.
“Noong nadaanan ko ang Liguasan March kahapon at yung iba pang areas sa Mindanao, napakayaman talaga ng Mindanao. Talagang gifted ng natural resources. Abundant and very rich ang soil ng Mindanao,” he said.
“We just have to put the necessary infrastructure para ma-tap natin at ma-maximize natin ang potential ng Mindanao to be the fruit basket not only of the Philippines but of Asia,” Ejercito said.