In a February 6 press release, the Embassy of Sweden in Manila said the grant will fund the development of national bus standards aimed at improving safety, quality, and inclusivity in urban public transport across the Philippines. The release, however, did not specify the amount of the study grant or clarify whether it forms part of earlier Swedish funding support for transport initiatives in the country.

Transportation Secretary Giovanni Lopez underscored the importance of the partnership, linking it to the administration’s push to modernize public mobility.

“Today’s signing of the agreement between the Philippines and Sweden affirms President Marcos’ goal to move more people with the continued development of Philippine bus standards,” Lopez said.

He added that the initiative reflects a broader policy shift toward prioritizing commuters over private vehicles.

“President Marcos has made it clear that we must shift away from a car-centric transport model into a more inclusive and commuter-centric approach. By improving our bus systems and public transport infrastructure, we can transport more people, help them save time spent on the road, and alleviate vehicular traffic,” the transport chief said.

Under the agreement, the study will help formulate normative specifications for urban buses, including minibuses, using international best practices tailored to local transport conditions.

The project aims to equip the DOTr with a unified bus classification system, standard technical parameters, and performance-based specifications for various Public Utility Bus (PUB) categories.

Swedish Ambassador Anna Ferry said the initiative reflects a shared priority to improve everyday mobility for commuters.

“Safe, efficient, and reliable public transport is a shared priority for both Sweden and the Philippines. By working together on bus standards, we are combining international experience with local knowledge to improve everyday mobility for Filipino commuters. Sweden is proud to work alongside the Philippines in developing standards that are firmly grounded in local conditions and priorities,” she said.

The project aligns with the DOTr’s Public Transport Modernization Program (PTMP) and existing Philippine National Standards related to vehicle safety, accessibility, and environmental performance.

Sweden has been supporting Philippine transport planning for several years.

Since 2018, Swedfund has provided around SEK 10 million (about ₱65 million) in grants for the development of the EDSA Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) system, covering feasibility studies, system planning, and technical reviews.

In 2025, Sweden extended its support with an additional SEK 3 million (over ₱19.5 million) to further advance the BRT feasibility study, including engineering designs, public-private partnership advisory, and capacity-building initiatives.

With the latest study grant focused on national bus standards, the partnership signals continued cooperation on public transport reform — an area seen as critical to easing congestion, improving commuter experience, and making urban mobility safer and more efficient across the country.

“Through our chairmanship, Malaysia will foster deeper cooperation, enhance economic integration, and ensure ASEAN remains a vital force in the global arena,” the ambassador said during his welcome remarks at the UTP-Philippine Industry Partners Roundtable on February 12.

Given the geopolitical situation, he said Malaysia seeks to foster peace, prosperity, and regional cooperation.

The ambassador noted that since taking on the ASEAN chairmanship in January, Malaysia has prioritized peace, stability, and prosperity, addressing key strategic issues such as the ongoing conflict in Palestine and the South China Sea disputes.

“Malaysia has emerged as a significant contributor within ASEAN, tackling strategic issues and global challenges including the conflict in Palestine, the South China Sea disputes, and competition among great powers,” he said.

At the same time, the ambassador said that under Malaysia’s leadership, ASEAN is expected to drive initiatives that will strengthen economic cooperation, promote sustainable development, and build stronger ties among member nations.

Malaysia is committed to ensuring ASEAN remains a key player on the world stage, tackling both regional and global issues with unity and purpose, he said.