DOTr: 26 Japanese firms show interest to invest in MRT-3 privatization

The Department of Transportation (DOTr) on Thursday said 26 companies from Japan have expressed interest to invest in the government’s plan to bid out the operations, maintenance, and expansion of Metro Rail Transit Line 3 (MRT-3) under a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) scheme.

In a news release, the DOTr said Japanese firms’ interest in the MRT-3 underscored the private sector’s confidence in the Philippine railway sector.

The Transportation Department said it conducted a market sounding in partnership with the Asian Development Bank (ADB) last June 23, 2026 in Tokyo.

"The MRT-3 PPP is more than an investment opportunity — it is an invitation to potential investors to help reshape how millions of Filipinos can swiftly move every single day. We are committed to building a railway system our people rightfully deserve, and we look forward to partnering with the private sector to help make this vision a reality," said Transportation Secretary Giovanni Lopez.

DOTr Assistant Secretary for Railways Eduardo Danilo Macabulos noted that the Philippines remains the most congested country in Asia, stressing that congestion is not just an inconvenience but carries real economic costs and an even greater toll on the everyday lives of Filipinos.

"When people spend hours stuck in traffic, they lose time that could have been spent not only on working, but learning, resting, or spending time with their loved ones. At the end of the day, our goal is actually very simple: to help people save precious time. It may sound like a simple objective, but if we can give millions of Filipinos even one or two hours back in their day, the impact on their lives can be enormous," said Macabulos.

In the near term, the DOTr is expecting to roll out similar opportunities for the operations and maintenance of the 147-km North-South Commuter Railway (NSCR) and the 33-km Metro Manila Subway Project (MMSP), as well as the upcoming Light Rail Transit-2 (LRT-2) and Philippine Automated Fare Collection System PPPs.

The projects form part of the broader 30-year Railway Master Plan, which envisions a more connected, efficient, and sustainable railway network for future generations. —Ted Cordero/RF, GMA News