03-07-2025
US announces funding for SCMB Railway Project at 4th of July gala in PH
Foreign Affairs Secretary Theresa Lazo, US Ambassador to the Philippines MaryKay Carlson, and Dean of the Diplomatic Corps in the Philippines, Apostolic Nuncio Reverend Charles Brown, raise a toast during the US Independence Day celebration on July 3, 2025.
US Ambassador to the Philippines MaryKay Carlson formally announced American financial support for the Subic-Clark-Manila-Batangas (SCMB) Railway project during the US Embassy's Independence Day celebration in Manila.
'Last week in Washington, we announced funding for a major rail line linking Subic, Manila, and Batangas under the Luzon Economic Corridor initiative, creating jobs and driving innovation in both of our countries,' Carlson said.
The SCMB Railway, a freight line designed to connect three major ports in Luzon, aims to ease congestion at the Port of Manila and improve logistics across the region.
The project, which had stalled under the previous administration after China withdrew from negotiations, is now moving forward with technical assistance from the US Trade and Development Agency (USTDA)
Foreign Affairs Secretary Theresa P. Lazaro welcomed the development, emphasizing its economic impact. 'Which is designed to link the three major ports in Luzon and decongest traffic in the Port of Manila, these flurry of activities are a testament of the strength and depth of the relations,' she said.
The announcement comes amid broader efforts to deepen US-Philippine cooperation, particularly in defense.
During a visit in March, US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth reaffirmed Washington's commitment to enhancing the Philippines' defense capabilities.
Carlson also addressed reports that US lawmakers are proposing a joint ammunition manufacturing and storage facility in Subic, a former US naval base.
'I'm not surprised given the very strong bipartisan support for the Philippines in US Congress that they're also looking at ways that we can continue to enhance US-Philippine defense cooperation,' she said.
Defense Secretary Gilbert Teodoro, who attended the celebration, has previously said that while no formal notice has been received, the proposal is a welcome development that would benefit the Armed Forces of the Philippines.
Also present at the event were ambassadors from Quad member nations—the US, Australia, India, and Japan—led by Japanese Ambassador to the Philippines Endo Kazuya.
The Quad recently issued a joint statement condemning unilateral actions in the South China Sea. While no country was named, the Philippine Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) expressed gratitude for the support.
"By highlighting the continuing dangerous and provocative actions, and the use of force and coercion in the South China Sea, the Quad Foreign Ministers have kept focus on the incidents that the Philippines has regularly contended with in the West Philippine Sea," the DFA said.
Carlson closed her remarks with a reaffirmation of the US-Philippine alliance: 'We are more than friends, partners, and allies, we are family. As we mark our Independence Day, we renew our commitment to shared ideals.'
The celebration was attended by top government officials and notable personalities, including two-time Olympic champion Carlos Yulo and Irene Marcos Araneta, sister of President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr.
Also in attendance were GMA Integrated News executives Oliver Victor B. Amoroso, Senior Vice President and Head of GMA Integrated News, Regional TV, and Synergy, and Reina Anne S. Dimapawi, Assistant Vice President and Deputy Head of GMA Integrated News Operations. — BM, GMA Integrated News
