Bicol and Mindanao Railways on Hold without China Loans, US refuses to take their Place

Bicol and Mindanao Railways on Hold without China Loans, US refuses to take their Place, wants Philippines to buy F-16s instead

No less than the Secretary of the Department of Transportation (DOTR) himself, Vince Dizon told the Press recently that there is no more Timeline for the completion of the South Long Haul (SLH) and Phase One of the Mindanao Railway Project (MRP) after the funding of these Projects was cancelled.

China was supposed to fund these two Railway Lines, but the Loan Application for them was withdrawn by Bong Bong Marcos (BBM) himself two Years ago in 2023 due to Lack of Progress in the Discussions and disagreement over the Interest Rate for the Loan.

France and India have reportedly expressed Interest in funding the Projects, but nothing concrete has materialized yet as of now. The SLH is 557 km long and will stretch from Sucat in Muntinlupa to Matnog in Sorsogon, and will cost Php 176 billion.

The MRP on the other hand will cost Php 82 billion and will be from Tagum in Davao del Norte to Digos in Davao del Sur.

You can access the Article itself at the “PhilStar Global” Website at: https://www.philstar.com/business/2025/05/05/2440514/no-funding-no-timeline-bicol-mindanao-rails-hang-balance

MY THOUGHTS:
Imagine that, those two Projects has been delayed for TWO LONG YEARS now ever since we set aside China’s Loan Offer, and the United States (US) nor its Allies has NOT been able to take China’s Place up to now.

And no doubt that BBM’s switch to an Anti-China, Pro-US Stance definitely factored into that failed Deal with China.

Worse is the Fact instead of helping us with those Railway Projects, the US wants us to buy their F-16C/D Fighting Falcon Block 70 Fighter Aircraft instead, which are actually a LOT more expensive than those two Railway Projects, COMBINED.

The SLH and MRP only cost a combined total of Php 258 billion, but those 20 F-16s that the US is offering cost around Php 312 billion, or Php 54 billion more. This is just one of the many Examples of how much a Failure this current Government of BBM has been so far.

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