US, Japan put Philippine railway project back on track after China plans fall through
“The 212km (132-mile) Subic–Clark–Manila–Batangas (SCMB) Railway is now set to become the central spine of the Luzon Economic Corridor – a flagship initiative launched in April of last year by the US, Japan and the Philippines to enhance regional infrastructure and supply-chain connectivity.”
“Both Clark and Subic were being used by the military, and the railway would link areas close to three key Philippine military installations: Camp O’Donnell in the neighbouring province of Tarlac; the biggest army camp, Fort Magsaysay, in Nueva Ecija province; and Basa Air Base in neighbouring Pampanga province.”
“Under the newly proposed plan, the SCMB railway, which will mainly carry cargo, will be almost triple the length of the China-backed railway and will be extended to the port in Batangas and all the way to Manila.”