The Mindanao Railway Project, also known as the “Eagle Express,” continues to
make headway in line with President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s railway
development plan.
The first in the region, the Eagle Express is a proposed railway network in
Mindanao, in the Southern Philippines, spearheaded by the Railway Consortium
of Korea (RCK) and economic leaders.
The railway would connect the island’s major cities via a circumferential railway,
with offshoot lines connecting far-off towns. The Eagle Express Phase 1 is a 750-
kilometer-long double-tracked modern railway project with high-speed trains,
commuter trains, and dedicated cargo trains that will serve the 10 provinces in
Mindanao.
Expected to be partially operational in 2030, the eight-year project is predicted to
benefit over 20 million people in line with connectivity and boost economic growth
in the area, RCK said.
The RCK expressed their optimism that, with the modern railway having a top
speed of 180 kilometers per hour (kph), economic progress on the island is
foreseeable. “We have seen the tremendous development of our countryside in
Korea just after each railway system was built. Businesses, tourism, logistics,
real estate development, and agricultural progress thrived and soared high
because of the railway system,” RCK said.
We wanted to replicate Korea’s development in the Philippines, particularly in the provinces, through the Eagle
Express. This railway project will likewise pave the way towards the full
development of the Mindanao region. The entire island will benefit from the
project during and after the construction, as the locals will be the top priority for
employment and other opportunities. Approximately 50,000 jobs will be created
during the construction, the RCK explained.
The Railway Consortium of Korea (RCK) is a group of esteemed railway
specialists and contractors from South Korea that is spearheading the
construction of the Eagle Express as a “symbol of gratitude towards the
Philippines for its support during the Korean War.”
Unveiling the Eagle Express. The Mindanao Railway Project Phase 1 is now underway and is
expected to be partially operational by 2030. It will usher in progress and development on the
entire island as it connects provinces including Bukidnon, Cotabato, Davao de Oro, Davao del
Norte, Davao del Sur, Davao Occidental, Davao Oriental, Misamis Oriental, South Cotabato,
and Sultan Kudarat. (Railway Consortium of Korea)
“In a gesture of solidarity, the RCK is committed to transferring advanced railway
technology to the Philippines, empowering local professionals to excel in railway
construction and operation management independently,” the group said.
“As the Eagle Express project advances, the future of rail travel in the region
shines brighter than ever before, ushering in a new era of connectivity and
prosperity for all,” RCK finally said.
