Singapore: Transportation Secretary Vince Dizon called for international private sector partners for the country's North-South Commuter Railway (NSCR) during a market sounding activity in Singapore on Monday. During the event, Dizon stated that the Philippines is moving away from a car-centric approach as part of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.'s vision of a commuter-centric transport system.

According to Philippines News Agency, Dizon emphasized the President's commitment to providing the Filipino people with a public transport system that meets their needs and deserves. He highlighted the importance of mobility and the daily commute, expressing that the President understands the challenges faced by the public in terms of transportation.

Dizon mentioned that with the cooperation of other countries and multilateral partners such as the Asian Development Bank (ADB) and InfraAsia, the Philippines can develop a public transportation model akin to those in other progressive nations. He explained that this development would significantly impact families' quality time, productivity, and the daily lives of every Filipino, including students and senior citizens.

To advance this vision, the government has engaged the private sector by privatizing the operations and maintenance (O and M) of the NSCR project under a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) arrangement. The NSCR aims to be fully operational by 2032, with initial operations from Valenzuela to Malolos, Bulacan expected in December 2027. The segment from Malolos to Clark International Airport (CRK) is anticipated to be operational by October 2028.

Upon completion, the 147-kilometer railway system is expected to transport 750,000 passengers daily and reduce travel time for communities in the National Capital Region (NCR), Bulacan, Pampanga, and Calamba, Laguna.