Photo from Department of Finance Philippines
METRO MANILA, Philippines – The Department of Finance (DOF) and the Asian Development Bank (ADB) have reaffirmed their strong partnership in advancing infrastructure development in the Philippines through a joint inspection of the Malolos–Clark Railway Project (MCRP) on September 29, 2025.
Led by Finance Secretary Ralph G. Recto and joined by ADB Vice President Scott Morris and ADB Philippines Country Director Andrew Jeffries, the inspection emphasized the government’s commitment to the “Build, Better, More” program, which aims to modernize transportation networks in the Philippines and strengthen economic competitiveness. The MCRP is a central component of the North–South Commuter Railway (NSCR) system, designed to connect Metro Manila with Central and Southern Luzon.
Once operational, the MCRP will reduce travel time between Malolos, Bulacan and Clark, Pampanga from nearly three hours by bus to just one hour by rail. This development is expected to enhance workforce mobility, support regional supply chains, and open new opportunities for businesses operating in Clark, Pampanga, and surrounding areas.
The NSCR system, spanning 147.26 kilometers with 35 stations, represents the largest infrastructure project financed by ADB in Asia-Pacific to date, with co-financing from the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA). With a total cost of PHP 873.6 billion, the project stands as a testament to the Philippines’ infrastructure ambitions and shows how the country is a hotspot for opportunities for business and investment.
“That scale alone speaks volumes of the trust and confidence the ADB has in our country and in the Filipino people’s future,” Secretary Recto asserted.
Furthermore, Secretary Recto reaffirmed the government’s pledge to uphold accountability and transparency through mechanisms such as the Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI).
Beyond infrastructure, ADB also expressed its readiness to expand cooperation in education, health, agriculture, energy, and digitalization. With this, the French Chamber of Commerce and Industry in the Philippines welcomes the progress of the MCRP and the broader NSCR system, which will pave the way for long-term opportunities in investment, public–private partnerships, and sustainable development.