Marcos, ED Council OK 'refinements' in MRT-7 implementation

President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos, Jr. and the Economy and Development (ED) Council on Tuesday approved the technical tweaks to the implementation of the Metro Rail Transit 7 (MRT-7) in a bid to resolve longstanding delays.

In a statement, the Department of Economy, Planning, and Development (DEPDev) said the ED Council, chaired by Marcos, approved technical refinements on MRT-7 as part of the government’s efforts to address implementation challenges and facilitate its completion to make it usable for public commuters soonest possible.

DEPDev said the rail project is over 85% complete and is targeted to begin operations by 2027.

The MRT-7 is projected to cut travel time between Quezon City and Bulacan from about three hours to about 35 minutes, serving up to 850,000 passengers daily and supporting regional economic integration.

“The approval of the refinements for MRT-7 implementation marks a critical step forward in finally delivering this long-overdue project. By addressing its current challenges, we are now in a stronger position to push toward its completion,” said DEPDev Secretary and ED Council vice chairperson Arsenio Balisacan.

“More importantly, this move reflects our commitment to the riding public: easing congestion, improving mobility across Metro Manila, and strengthening economic integration in the region. This is not just about finishing a project; it is about delivering tangible benefits that commuters have long been waiting for,” said Balisacan.

The DEPDev added that the ED Council also approved adjustments to the Department of Transportation-Philippine Coast Guard’s proposed acquisition of 40 units of fast patrol crafts (FPCs).

In particular, the council gave the thumbs up to tweak the project’s —to be funded through an official development assistance (ODA) loan from the Government of French Republic— cost and implementation period “to consider foreign exchange movements and timelines for the finalization of financing arrangements.”

Costing P31.8 billion, the FPCs are expected to enhance the country’s capability to strengthen maritime law enforcement against marine crimes such as smuggling and other illegal activities and improve disaster response and search-and-rescue operations, according to the DEPDev.

“As we continuously face global uncertainties that persistently challenge our economy, we consider this a crucial project in strengthening the country’s maritime security, disaster response, and law enforcement capabilities,” said Balisacan.

The country’s chief economist added that the approvals during the May 5, 2026 ED Council meeting “underscore the government’s resolve to ensure that major infrastructure projects are implemented efficiently and transparently, delivering the highest economic and social returns for the Filipino people.” —AOL, GMA News