ICC clears LRT-1 South common station, 3 others

MANILA, Philippines — The Investment Coordination Committee-Cabinet Committee (ICC-CC) has approved four public investment projects, including the Light Rail Transit Line 1 (LRT1) common station.

All four projects will be elevated to the Economy and Development (ED) Council, chaired by President Marcos for final approval, the Department of Finance said.

The approval of the LRT1 South Extension common station clears the way for the construction of the unified grand central station along North Avenue in Quezon City, linking LRT-1, Metro Rail Transit Line 3, the incoming MRT-7 and the Metro Manila Subway.

Once operational, this is expected to serve around 1.28 million passengers daily, with the common station cutting travel times and saving fares.

“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,” Finance Secretary Frederick Go said.

“The ICC process exists to make sure every project we endorse delivers real outcomes for Filipinos,” Go, who also serves as the ICC-CC chair, added.

In addition, the ICC greenlit the Boosting Employability in Strategic TVET Sectors (BEST) program of the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority, which expands access to industry-aligned technical and vocational education and training (TVET).

This covers sectors with the strongest demand for skilled labor, including manufacturing, construction, information and communication technology and agri?fishery.

The committee likewise approved the Philippine Geothermal Resource Derisking Facility (PGRDF), backed by an Asian Development Bank loan and implemented through the Land Bank of the Philippines.

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,” it said.

The last project approved is the Philippine Seismic Risk Reduction and Resilience Project (PSRRRP) of the Department of Public Works and Highways, which aims to retrofit school buildings in Metro Manila for seismic resilience and to boost the DPWH’s capacity to respond rapidly to disasters.

The PSRRRP will strengthen the country’s preparedness against major earthquakes and help ensure that schools remain safe and operational during and after seismic events.