At the ASEAN RailCon 2026 held Thursday at the Asian Development Bank (ADB) headquarters, the Philippines appealed to ASEAN member states, investors, and development institutions to back its large-scale railway expansion program. The initiative aims to sustain national development and improve daily commuting conditions for Filipinos.
Transportation Secretary Banoy Lopez said that regional cooperation would speed up delivery of major projects including the North-South Commuter Railway, Metro Manila Subway, and MRT-7. “These game-changing projects will transform Philippine transportation, but we need collaboration from our ASEAN partners to make them happen,” he said. He also emphasized the Philippine Railways Institute’s role in producing skilled, safety-focused professionals to run the new systems.
ASEAN Deputy Secretary-General Satvinder Singh identified sustainability, innovation, safety, long-term funding, and workforce development as key regional priorities for rail growth. He added that railways offer a strategic route to inclusive and sustainable development.
ADB Philippines country director Andrew Jeffries confirmed the bank’s long-term partnership with the Department of Transportation over the past decade to modernize the country’s rail network. Once completed, the new lines will provide millions of Filipinos with travel options that are faster, safer, more affordable, and environmentally friendly.
