Termination of ICC-approval on Unified Grand Central Station project OK’d —DEPDev

The Economy and Development (ED) Council, chaired by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., has approved the termination of the existing Investment Coordination Committee approval of the Unified Grand Central Station (UGCS) Project.

The decision was made during the eight ED Council meeting on Thursday, March 19, 2026, the Department of Economy, Planning and Development (DEPDev) said in a statement on Friday.

With the termination of the previous ICC approval on the UGCS, the project will now continue through separate implementation arrangements. 

“These include the engagement of step-in contractors and other mechanisms to complete the remaining works needed to support station operations,” the DEPDev said.

“This action is necessary to formally close the current project approval following the termination of the design-and-build contract and the determination that completion under the same contractual arrangement is no longer feasible,” it said.

In March last year, the Department of Transportation (DOTr) terminated the agreement with BF Corporation and Foresight Development and Surveying Company (BFC-FDSC) Consortium, which was tapped to build the UGCS for LRT-1, MRT-3, and MRT-7 due to excessive delays.

The ED Council’s decision will also facilitate the orderly contract close-out, address pending obligations, and allow the transition to an alternative delivery approach that can help reduce further delays and advance the completion of the remaining project components, according to the DEPDev.

The UGCS project aims to establish a common station linking the three major railways to facilitate seamless passenger transfer to road-based transport systems. 

The economic council, also during its meeting, approved the request of the Department of Public Works and Highways to increase the cost and extend the implementation period of the Reconstruction and Development Plan for a Greater Marawi Stage 2 (RDPGM2). 

“These adjustments reflect the updated cost requirements for civil works, consultancy services, and right-of-way acquisition, based on the current implementation conditions and revised project requirements,” the DEPDev said.

The RDPGM2 is part of the rehabilitation efforts for Marawi City, which covers 26.59 kilometers of roads, bridges, drainage, and slope protection works. 

It is designed to restore transport connectivity and enhance resilience, thereby improving mobility, facilitating access to services, and supporting economic and social recovery in areas affected by the 2017 siege. 

Flagship projects

The DEPDev said the ED Council also discussed the status and progress of the implementation of the country’s Infrastructure Flagship Projects (IFPs) as well as the updated list of IFPs under the Build-Better-More infrastructure program. 

Currently, the IFPs consist of 201 priority infrastructure projects with an estimated cost of P9.970 trillion. 

Three projects were newly added to the list, which includes the Liloan Bridge Construction Project, Farm-to-Market Bridges Development Program, and Accelerated Water and Sanitation Project in Selected Areas.—AOL, GMA Integrated News