The Economy and Development Council (ED Council), chaired by President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., has approved major funding increases, timeline extensions, and updated guidelines for several key development initiatives—including four US-assisted programs and the rehabilitation of the MRT-3 system.
In a statement, the Department of Economy, Planning, and Development (DEPDev) said the council’s Oct. 2 meeting cleared adjustments for four US Government-Assisted Development Objective Agreements (DOAgs), ensuring program continuity amid the transition of project management from the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) to the US Department of State.
Among the projects approved:
- Improved Health for Underserved Filipinos (Department of Health) – funding raised to USD524 million from USD224 million to sustain gains in health outcomes and expand services to underserved communities.
- Enhanced Ecosystem and Community Resilience – cost increased to USD250 million from USD150 million to strengthen climate adaptation and ecosystem protection.
- Economic Growth and Democratic Governance with Equity (Department of Finance) and Improved Basic Education Outcomes (Department of Education) – implementation extended to Sept. 30, 2027 to further promote inclusive growth, governance reform, and measurable learning outcomes.
“These timely adjustments are crucial to sustaining the gains we have achieved through these agreements,” said DEPDev Secretary and ED Council Vice-Chair Arsenio Balisacan. “By approving these measures, we ensure that programs continue to deliver meaningful results for the Filipino people despite the transition in management.”
President Marcos also approved adjustments to the MRT-3 Rehabilitation Project, aimed at guaranteeing safe, efficient, and long-term operations. The Department of Transportation (DOTr) sought changes to project scope, cost, and financing to meet new technical requirements—covering full rail replacements, overhauls of 72 light rail vehicles, bogie frame procurement, and integration with related MRT-3 initiatives like the Common Station and Dalian trains.
“The MRT-3 is a vital artery in Metro Manila’s transport network. These adjustments will ensure commuters enjoy a safer and more reliable transit experience,” said Balisacan, adding that Marcos directed the DOTr to enforce strict safeguards and maintenance protocols.
The council likewise approved updated guidelines for reviewing and approving major government programs and projects. The new rules raise the cost threshold for locally funded projects to PHP5 billion, expand the Investment Coordination Committee’s (ICC) scope to cover Public-Private Partnerships (PPP), and require ICC review of all foreign loan-assisted projects.
“As we work to ensure that every peso invested delivers maximum value, streamlining the ICC process will make evaluations more rigorous while reducing unnecessary delays,” Balisacan said.
DEPDev said these collective decisions signal the Marcos administration’s push to strengthen partnerships, sustain development momentum, and reinforce the country’s economic and infrastructure foundations.