Philippines considers India for ₱257 billion railway funding
The transport department favours government-to-government financing for the South Long Haul and Mindanao railway projects, with France also under consideration.
The Philippines is considering India as a financing partner for two railway projects requiring a combined ₱257 billion, Acting Transportation Secretary Giovanni Lopez said. The projects would restore the Bicol Express route and establish Mindanao’s first railway.
Speaking at an infrastructure forum organised by the Economic Journalists Association of the Philippines, Lopez said Philippine officials had discussed possible investment in both projects with India’s government during a presidential visit.
The Department of Transportation favours a government-to-government funding arrangement, Lopez said, making India and France potential partners. He added that the department remained open to new offers from multilateral partners.
India had previously been considered after financing talks with China broke down in 2023. President Marcos withdrew the Chinese loan applications that year, reportedly because of disagreements over interest rates.
The PNR South Long Haul requires ₱175.32 billion and would run for 557 kilometres from Sucat in Muntinlupa to Matnog in Sorsogon, following the former Bicol Express alignment.
The Mindanao Railway Project’s first phase costs ₱81.79 billion. Its trains would connect Tagum in Davao del Norte with Digos in Davao del Sur.
