The Government of Sweden has granted USD1.3 million through Swedfund International to support the feasibility study of the Subic–Clark–Manila–Batangas (SCMB) Railway, a flagship project under the Luzon Economic Corridor (LEC). The agreement for the grant financing was signed between Swedfund International and the Department of Transportation (DOTr), according to the Office of the Special Assistant to the President for Investment and Economic Affairs (OSAPIEA). The Swedish contribution complements funding from the United States Trade and Development Agency (USTDA), which is supporting parallel studies on transport modeling, port–rail integration, and institutional planning.
The Asian Development Bank (ADB) will oversee procurement of the consultant for the SCMB project’s main feasibility study. The proposed freight railway will connect major ports in Subic, Manila, and Batangas to improve logistics efficiency and reduce transport costs.
The initiative forms part of the trilateral cooperation among the Philippines, Japan, and the United States through the LEC framework. It aims to enhance infrastructure connectivity, promote sustainable industrial development, and boost economic growth across Luzon’s key logistics hubs.
