The Economy and Development (ED) Council, chaired by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., approved on Tuesday several high-impact infrastructure and development initiatives during its 10th official meeting.
Chief among the approvals is a variation order for the Light Rail Transit Line 1 (LRT-1) South Extension Project, a pivotal move designed to finalize the construction of the country’s largest rail interchange.
Once completed, this massive transport hub will seamlessly link the LRT-1, MRT-3, and MRT-7 lines, with future integration planned for the Metro Manila Subway.
“This is a key step toward an integrated transport system that will improve the daily travel experience for thousands of Filipinos, helping them reach jobs, schools, services, and opportunities faster and more conveniently,” said Arsenio M. Balisacan, Secretary of the Department of Economy, Planning, and Development (DEPDev) and Vice Chair of the ED Council.
The newly approved variation order spans comprehensive station completion works, viaduct construction, advanced railway and signaling systems, and the integration of a unified Automatic Fare Collection System. The council expects interim operations for this critical common station to be fully operational by March 2028.
In addition to the landmark transit expansion, the ED Council gave the green light to three other major national projects:
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The Philippine Geothermal Resource Derisking Facility (PGRDF): A PhP 10.07 billion initiative by the Department of Energy aimed at lowering upfront investment risks to accelerate the exploration and development of sustainable geothermal energy across the archipelago.
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The Philippine Artificial Intelligence Infrastructure Master Plan (PAIIM) 2026–2033: Spearheaded by the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT), this strategic roadmap outlines a eight-year plan to establish the Philippines as a primary regional hub for AI infrastructure, research, and technological innovation.
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Seismic Safety Upgrades for Public Schools: The Council approved critical revisions to the Philippine Seismic Risk Reduction and Resilience Project (PSRRRP). The adjustments will immediately strengthen the structural safety and disaster resilience of targeted public school buildings throughout Metro Manila.
Together, these approvals reflect the administration’s continued push toward comprehensive modernization—balancing massive urban mobility upgrades with clean energy investments, future-ready tech frameworks, and climate-resilient public infrastructure.
