MANILA, Feb. 21 -- The Department of Transportation (DOTr) is looking to fast-track major railway projects in the country through technical and financial assistance from the Japanese government.

During a meeting with the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) and the Japanese Ministry of Land Infrastructure Transport and Tourism on Wednesday, Transportation Secretary Jaime Bautista called for their discussions to be realized in the ongoing construction of several big-ticket rail projects in the country.

"Let us move beyond table-top discussions. Let us cascade the inertia of transformation to the frontlines of these projects," Bautista said.

The provision of cutting-edge technology through assistance from the Japanese government...