TAGUM CITY, Davao del Norte — The Department of Transportation (DOTr) has formally turned over 159 housing units to families displaced by the Mindanao Railway Project (MRP) during an awarding ceremony held at the Tagum Train Village relocation site in Purok Kalubiran, Barangay Mankilam.
Leading the turnover ceremony were DOTr Assistant Secretary IC Calaguas and Tagum City Mayor Rey T. Uy, who personally awarded house-and-lot units to informal settler families affected by the railway project’s Tagum Segment.
The relocation initiative forms part of the government’s social safeguard program aimed at ensuring that families displaced by major infrastructure developments are provided with safe and decent housing before construction activities commence.
Affordable Housing with Ownership Program
Assistant Secretary Calaguas explained that beneficiaries occupying the quadruplex housing units will pay a monthly amortization of PHP 1,500 for 25 years, after which ownership of the house and lot will be transferred to the beneficiary families.
According to Calaguas, the payment scheme is intended to instill a stronger sense of responsibility and ownership among residents while ensuring the long-term maintenance and sustainability of the relocation community.
He also reaffirmed the national government’s commitment to pushing forward with the Mindanao Railway Project, emphasizing that the DOTr is currently prioritizing the completion of the project’s Right-of-Way (ROW) and Land Acquisition phases before the actual construction begins.
Mindanao Railway Expected to Transform Regional Connectivity
Once completed, the Mindanao Railway Project is expected to connect the cities and municipalities of Tagum, Carmen, Panabo, Davao City, Sta. Cruz, and Digos, significantly improving mobility across the Davao Region.
The railway is envisioned to provide a faster, safer, and more reliable transportation system that will not only ease travel but also stimulate economic growth, attract investments, and enhance the movement of people and goods throughout the region.
Mayor Uy Urges Beneficiaries to Protect Their New Homes
Mayor Rey T. Uy expressed gratitude to the DOTr for ensuring that families displaced by the government’s flagship infrastructure project were not left behind and were provided with permanent relocation.
He also appealed to the beneficiaries to value and protect the homes entrusted to them by the government.
The mayor specifically urged residents not to sell their housing units, stressing that the relocation program was designed to provide long-term security and improved living conditions for their families.
LGU, DOTr Strengthen Partnership
The housing turnover ceremony also featured the signing of the Deed of Donation and the Supplemental Memorandum of Agreement (SMOA) between the Tagum City Government and the DOTr.
The agreements aim to strengthen cooperation between the two agencies in ensuring the proper administration, maintenance, and long-term management of the Tagum Train Village resettlement site.
Prior to the formal turnover, the city government had already conducted the lot assignment draw for qualified beneficiaries on June 26, 2026, at Fe Village in Barangay Mankilam, allowing families to determine their respective housing allocations before occupancy.
Commitment to Inclusive Urban Development
The Tagum City Government emphasized that, in partnership with national government agencies, it continues to address resettlement concerns arising from the city’s rapid urban development and major infrastructure projects.
Officials said the housing program reflects the government’s commitment to providing displaced Tagumeños with decent, secure, and comfortable homes while ensuring that progress through infrastructure development remains inclusive and leaves no family behind.