The Asian Development Bank (ADB) is positioning the North–South Commuter Railway (NSCR) as a model project under the United Nations Decade for Sustainable Transport 2026–2035. The initiative follows a site visit by a delegation from the Asia and the Pacific Transport Forum to key sections of the railway project, including the 56 km Malolos–Clark segment, which forms part of the wider 147 km Clark International Airport–Calamba railway system.
ADB officials highlighted the NSCR as an example of the Philippines’ efforts to develop a modern and reliable mass transit system supported by international collaboration. Construction activities across various sections are being undertaken by international and local consortiums, including Hyundai Engineering and Construction–Megawide–Dongha Joint Venture, Acciona, Daelim Industrial, Italian-Thai Development and EEI Corporation. Track installation works have also commenced in selected sections and depots through contractors including Posco, while rolling stock will be supplied by Japanese companies including J-TREC Engineering, Sumitomo Corporation and Mitsubishi Corporation. According to the Department of Transportation, the Malolos–Clark section has reached approximately 70.06 per cent construction progress, while right-of-way acquisition has reached 83.95 per cent.
The PHP873 billion NSCR system is jointly financed by ADB, the Japan International Cooperation Agency and the Philippine government. Partial operations between Valenzuela and Clark International Airport through Malolos are targeted for October 2028, while full operations extending to Calamba are expected by 2033. ADB has also encouraged preparations for future network expansion toward New Clark City as part of broader railway development plans under the proposed 30-year Philippine Railway Master Plan.