The following is an excerpt from the Infrastructure section of the "Development Plan for the Bangsamoro" prepared in cooperation with the Japan International Cooperation Agency. Details of this report are available here: https://openjicareport.jica.go.jp/pdf/12253654_01.pdf
=====
< Edited >
Mindanao’s Railway Plan
There is a wide clamor to build a Mindanao circumferential railway system, but it has not been realized due to its substantial investment requirement that puts to question its economic feasibility. Nonetheless, short run railways in high traffic areas are being seriously considered such as the Cagayan–Iligan corridor. A feasibility study on an 82.5 km railway from Cagayan de Oro to Iligan has been completed and reviewed for possible external financing.
The Mindanao Development Authority (MinDA)-initiated plan, Mindanao 2020 Peace and Development Framework Plan (2011–2030), envisions that construction of Mindanao’s first railway will start by 2016 and operation will commence in 2020. Phase I is expected to run between Cagayan and Iligan with an estimated budget of PHP 57,733 million and to be financed through PPP.
Since the priority lines are outside Bangsamoro and financing and implementation plans are not yet clear, the impact of this project on the Bangsamoro development seems to be minimal. The planned railway route and stations are shown in Figure 4.4.
< Edited >
