Dohwa Engineering and Nippon Koei to lead Manila rail masterplan study

The Philippines Department of Transportation (DOTr) has appointed a joint venture of Dohwa Engineering (Korea) and Nippon Koei (Japan) to undertake studies for the Greater Capital Region Railways, a major infrastructure initiative connecting existing and new metro and commuter lines in Manila. 

The $US 11.98 million (€10.27m) contract remains subject to approval by the Asian Development Bank (ADB), with procurement following ADB official development assistance (ODA) guidelines.

The project will integrate existing LRT and MRT lines with lines under construction, including the Metro Manila Subway, North-South Commuter Railway (NSCR), MRT-4, and the Subic–Clark–Manila–Batangas (SCMB) Railway. The Greater Capital Region Railways is expected to provide seamless connectivity between metro and commuter networks across the capital region.

As of December 2025, DOTr had acquired 90.76% of the right-of-way for the Metro Manila Subway, a 33km underground line from Valenzuela City to FTI-Bicutan in Parañaque, with a branch to Terminal 3 at Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA). The new subway will feature 17 stations and carry up to 370,000 passengers per day.

The NSCR northern section is cleared for construction, and when complete, the 148km line will serve 37 stations with 464 EMU cars capable of transporting over 800,000 passengers daily. The Clark–Valenzuela section is projected to open in 2028. The overall programme is being delivered in three stages: Tutuban–Malolos, Malolos–Clark, and Solis–Calamba.

The study contract forms the foundation for further national procurement and long-term infrastructure investment, ensuring compliance with international development financing standards and the integration of multiple transport corridors across Metro Manila.

Access the full report to understand procurement considerations and project delivery timelines for Manila’s Greater Capital Region Railways.

Photo credits to DOTr’s official website