President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Saturday met with two Indian organizations to explore cooperation on major railway projects and space technology development in the Philippines.
The President first met with representatives of Rail India Technical and Economic Service Ltd., an Indian transport infrastructure consultancy under the Ministry of Railways, to explore possible cooperation on at least three railway projects in the Philippines.
Presidential Communications Office Acting Secretary Dave Gomez said the priority projects being considered by RITES are the Mindanao Railway Project, a mass rail system in Cebu, and the extension of the Philippine National Railways system from Tutuban.
“Ang unang-unang priority is the Mindanao Rail System. So titingnan nila ‘yun at pag-aaralan natin. Susunod ‘yung mass rail system sa Cebu,” said Gomez, who joined the President during the meetings.
“And the third na papasukin nila, ‘yung extension ng PNR sa Tutuban. So ‘yung tatlong areas na ‘yun sa rail system,” he added.
Gomez said RITES could participate in the projects as a consultant or through a public-private partnership, while also helping the Philippines explore official development assistance.
Marcos also met with officials of the Indian Space Research Organisation to discuss cooperation with the Philippine Space Agency in support of the country’s long-term goal of launching its own satellite.
Gomez said India could share its technical expertise and experience with the Philippines as the Marcos administration seeks to strengthen the country’s capabilities in space technology.
“Importante talaga na magkaroon din tayo ng sarili nating satellite dahil maraming gamit, maraming tulong ‘yan from communications to weather forecasting because of climate change, kailangan natin ‘yan, to defense and security,” he said.
“So talaga ‘yun ang aspiration ng administrasyong Marcos to eventually launch our satellite. So tutulungan nila tayo,” Gomez added.
The President is in India to attend the two-day BRICS Summit upon the invitation of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
He is participating in the summit in his capacity as Chair of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations for 2026.