DAVAO CITY (MindaNews / 2 Oct) — The chair of the Mindanao Development Authority (MinDA) said that politics is not a factor in the delay of the implementation of the Mindanao Railway Project (MRP). MinDA chair Leo Tereso Magno speaks during a press conference at the Mindanao Development Forum 2025 at the Dusit Thani Hotel in Davao City on Wednesday (1 October 2025). I wouldn’t want to put politics here because there are flagship projects in Mindanao that still receive funding from the national government,” Magno said. He said MinDA is willing to take the lead in identifying potential funding sources to commence the construction of the railway system’s first TDD segment, particularly through the public-private partnership, during the current administration. “We have been consistent in making our announcement that we are waiting for this because if funds cannot be allocated, we are willing to spearhead looking for private sector participation in Mindanao railway,” Magno said.