DOTr to ASEAN: Invest in Philippines railways

MANILA, Philippines — Transportation Secretary Giovanni Lopez has called on Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) partners and development institutions to continue building and investing in mass rail transit systems that will “sustain the country’s development and improve the daily lives of Filipinos.”

Lopez said ASEAN countries can help the Philippines expedite the construction and completion of railway projects, including the North-South Commuter Railway (NSCR), Metro Manila Subway Project and MRT-7.

“With these game-changing projects, we can transform the entire landscape of Philippine transportation. To achieve this, we would need help and collaboration from our partners and friends from ASEAN countries,” he said during the ASEAN RailCon 2026 held at the Asian Development Bank (ADB) headquarters on Thursday.

“The Philippines reaffirms its commitment to working closely with our ASEAN partners and development institutions in advancing a highly efficient, expansive and well-integrated rail system that will support sustainable development and improve the lives of our people,” Lopez added.

He underscored the role of the Philippine Railways Institute in ensuring that our systems are supported by “competent, safety-driven, and future-ready professionals.”

Meanwhile, deputy secretary-general for the ASEAN Economic Community, Satvinder Singh, highlighted sustainability and resilience, innovation and digital transformation, safety standards, long-term investment and human resource development as key priorities for advancing railway development and operations in the region.

Andrew Jeffries, ADB Philippines country director, highlighted its partnership with the Philippines through the Department of Transportation (DOTr), in its efforts to revitalize and expand the country’s railway network over the past decade.

Railway extension

Public Works Secretary Vince Dizon has delegated to the Department of Public Works and Highways-Region 3 or DPWH Central Luzon full control on the implementation of a P585-million clearing and restoration work on the NSCR Extension Project.

In a special order issued last June 16, Dizon designated DPWH-Region 3 director, officer-in-charge regional director, Arnold Ocampo, as the authorized DPWH official to oversee the implementation of the project which involves the demolition, removal, and restoration of affected structures along the railway’s alignment.

According to the directive, the delegation of authority aims to ensure the efficient and timely implementation of the critical infrastructure project pursuant to an existing agreement between the DPWH and the DOTr.