Photo courtesy of PCO
Long-delayed railway ambitions in Mindanao and Cebu could gain Indian technical support as President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. explores a broader infrastructure and technology partnership with New Delhi.
Among the projects being examined are the Mindanao Railway, a mass transit system for Cebu and an expansion of the Philippine National Railways network from its historic Tutuban hub in Manila.
Talks on the proposals took place Saturday between Marcos and representatives of RITES, the Indian government-owned engineering and transport consultancy, during the President’s visit for the 18th BRICS Summit.
No agreement has been finalized, but Presidential Communications Office Acting Secretary Dave Gomez said RITES could provide consultancy services, participate through a public-private partnership or help identify official development assistance.
The discussions could provide another option for Philippine railway projects that have encountered financing and implementation challenges while the government seeks to expand mass transportation beyond Metro Manila.
Marcos separately discussed space cooperation with the Indian Space Research Organisation, focusing on how Indian expertise could support the Philippine Space Agency and Manila’s longer-term satellite ambitions.
The two countries already established a foundation for closer space cooperation in August 2025, when PhilSA and ISRO signed a Statement of Intent covering collaboration in the peaceful uses of outer space.
Satellite technology has applications beyond scientific research, including disaster management, environmental and weather monitoring, telecommunications and other government services, making space cooperation another potential component of the Philippines’ expanding technological partnership with India.