The Philippines called on its ASEAN partners, investment 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.
Transportation Secretary Banoy Lopez said in a speech at the ASEAN Rail Conference during the ASEAN RailCon 2026 held at the Asian Development Bank (ADB) headquarters on Thursday.
The Secretary said that countries can help the Philippines expedite the construction and completion of big-ticket railway projects including the North-South Commuter Railway (NSCR), Metro Manila Subway Project (MMSP), MRT-7 and other railway projects.
“With these game-changing projects, we can transform the entire landscape of the Philippine Transportation. To achieve this, we would need help and collaboration from our partners and friends from ASEAN countries,” Secretary Lopez said.
“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,” Sec. Lopez emphasized.
The transport chief also underscored the vital role of the Philippine Railways Institute (PRI) 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.
“Rail transport offers a kind of strategic path towards sustainable growth while at the same time enhancing connectivity and also providing us a much more better inclusive future,” Mr. Singh said.
Asian Development Bank (ADB) Philippines Country Director Andrew Jeffries highlighted ADB’s partnership with the Philippines through the DOTr, in its efforts to revitalize and expand the country’s railway network over the past decade.
“Once fully operational, these new rail systems will be more reliable, affordable, faster, safer, and greener means of travel for millions of Filipinos,” Mr. Jeffries said.
