ICC-CC OKs LRT 1-MRT south common station, 3 other projects

The Investment Coordination Committee-Cabinet Committee (ICC-CC) has approved four public investment projects, including the South Extension Common Station of the Light Rail Transit Line 1 (LRT1), which will be elevated to the Economy and Development (ED) Council for final approval.

The LRT1 South Extension Common Station involves the construction of a unified grand central station (UGCS) along North Avenue in Quezon City, linking the line to the Metro Rail Transit Line 3 (MRT3), the incoming MRT7, and the Metro Manila Subway.

“Rail projects give people back their time. A seamless connection between LRT1, MRT3, MRT7, and the Subway means shorter commutes, more hours with family, and workers who can reach more opportunities across the city,” Finance Secretary and ICC-CC chair Frederick Go said in an emailed statement.

“The ICC process exists to make sure every project we endorse delivers real outcomes for Filipinos,” he added.

Also approved was the Boosting Employability in Strategic TVET Sectors (BEST) of the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA), which expands access to technical and vocational education and training (TVET).

The TVET will be in high-demand sectors such as manufacturing, construction, information and communication technology, and agri-fishery, seeking to upskill Filipinos to boost employment opportunities and increase income.

The ICC-CC likewise approved the Philippine Geothermal Resource Derisking Facility (PGRDF), backed by a sovereign loan from the Asian Development Bank (ADB), which seeks to increase private investment in the country’s geothermal resources.

The fourth project approved is the Philippine Seismic Risk Reduction and Resilience Project (PSRRRP) of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) which targets the seismic retrofitting of school buildings in Metro Manila.

With the ICC-CC approval, the projects will be elevated to the ED Council, chaired by President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr., for final approval.

“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,” the DOF said. —AOL, GMA News