The Investment Coordination Committee – Cabinet Committee (ICC-CC) has approved four major public investment projects spanning sectors that touch the daily lives of millions of Filipinos — from commuters and jobseekers to households, businesses, and communities vulnerable to natural disasters.
The approvals cover the LRT 1 South Extension Common Station, the TESDA Boosting Employability in Strategic TVET Sectors (BEST) project, the Philippine Geothermal Resource Derisking Facility (PGRDF), and the Philippine Seismic Risk Reduction and Resilience Project (PSRRRP). All four projects will be elevated to the Economy and Development (ED) Council, chaired by President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., for final approval.
“Rail projects give people back their time. A seamless connection between LRT-1, MRT-3, MRT-7, and the Subway means shorter commutes, more hours with family, and workers who can reach more opportunities across the city. The ICC process exists to make sure every project we endorse delivers real outcomes for Filipinos,” said Finance Secretary and ICC-CC Chair Frederick D. Go.
Seamless rail travel
The ICC-CC approval of the LRT 1 Common Station clears the path for construction of the Unified Grand Central Station (UGCS) along North Avenue, Quezon City — a transit hub that will link LRT-1, MRT-3, the incoming MRT-7 and the Metro Manila Subway under a single, seamless roof.
Serving an estimated 1.28 million passengers daily, the Common Station will save commuters time and money while unlocking the full value of the country’s expanding rail network.
Skills and livelihoods
Meanwhile, the BEST project expands access to high-quality, industry-aligned technical and vocational education and training (TVET) in sectors where demand for skilled workers is highest — including manufacturing, construction, information and communication technology, and agri-fishery.
The project aims to equip more Filipinos with in-demand skills that lead to better employment opportunities and higher incomes, while strengthening the country’s talent pipeline to support industrial growth, innovation, and competitiveness.
Backed by a sovereign loan from the Asian Development Bank (ADB) and implemented through LANDBANK, the PGRDF reduces the financial risks of early-stage geothermal exploration.
The facility is expected to unlock more private investment in the country’s vast geothermal resources, strengthening energy security while helping provide Filipinos with cleaner, more reliable, and more affordable electricity.
Resilient school buildings
The PSRRRP targets the seismic retrofitting of school buildings in Metro Manila and strengthens DPWH’s capacity to respond rapidly when disaster strikes.
It will strengthen the country’s preparedness against major earthquakes and help ensure that schools remain safe and operational during and after seismic events.
The approval of these projects reflects the government’s continued commitment to investing in infrastructure and human capital that deliver tangible benefits and generate long-term economic growth.
Together, these initiatives support the Marcos Jr. administration’s goal of building a more connected, competitive, resilient, and inclusive economy—where better transport, stronger workforce skills, reliable clean energy, and safer communities create more opportunities and improve the quality of life for every Filipino.
