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The Philippine National Railways officially endorsed integrating freight operations alongside the 147-kilometer North-South Commuter Railway Project
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PNR chairman Michael Ted Macapagal said the move will create “a comprehensive logistics network that will enhance economic efficiency, improve the livelihoods of farmers and fisherfolk, and significantly lower food prices”
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The proposal will also complement the planned $3.2-billion Subic-Clark-Manila-Batangas Railway project
The Philippine National Railways (PNR) officially endorsed integrating freight operations alongside the 147-kilometer North-South Commuter Railway (NSCR) Project.
“Integrating a cargo train parallel to the NSCR project is an important step towards creating a comprehensive logistics network that will enhance economic efficiency, improve the livelihoods of farmers and fisherfolk, and significantly lower food prices,” PNR chairman Michael Ted Macapagal said in a statement.
Macapagal disclosed the proposal to integrate cargo trains into NSCR in November last year.
Macapagal said the proposal will complement the planned $3.2 billion Subic-Clark-Manila-Batangas (SCMB) Railway project, which promises to connect major economic hubs by linking four critical logistics points in Luzon, Subic port, Clark International Airport, Port of Manila and Batangas port.
He added that integrating cargo operations alongside NSCR will streamline logistics, reduce transportation costs, and significantly benefit the country’s economy, especially in the agricultural and industrial sectors.
The proposal is also expected to bring extensive benefits, including direct urban market access for farmers, potentially increasing incomes by up to 400%, and reducing product prices by up to 40%, ensuring competitiveness for local products in both domestic and international markets, PNR noted.
Moreover, PNR said the integration promises to create jobs in construction, logistics, and railway operations, contributing to regional development and poverty alleviation. It also supports investments in clean energy, recycling, and renewable technologies through collaborative efforts from the United States and Japan.
Macapagal hopes that the NSCR and SCMB be viewed not merely as infrastructure projects but as catalysts for profound economic and social transformation.
“By integrating a cargo component, we ensure these railways serve as lifelines for goods and livelihoods, not just for passengers,” he said.
The 147.26-km NSCR system aims to seamlessly connect Clark, Pampanga and Calamba, Laguna by linking Metro Manila to its neighboring provinces from 4 to 4.5 hours travel time to less than two hours.
The Department of Transportation earlier said the project will open partially in the third quarter of 2026, while full operation will start in 2029.
The project is co-financed by the Japan International Cooperation Agency and the Asian Development Bank.
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