The Economy and Development (ED) Council, which operates under the Department of Economy, Planning and Development (DEPDev) has given the green light to amendments covering the North-South Commuter Railway (NSCR) Operations and Maintenance (O&M) deal and the Mactan-Cebu International Airport (MCIA) public-private partnership (PPP) project, alongside adjustments to three major development programs and a review of class suspension rules.
For the NSCR, the council approved updates to the project’s parameters, terms and conditions designed to draw more bidders and foster stronger competition for this flagship railway scheme. Spanning Central Luzon, Metro Manila and Southern Luzon, partial operations are set to start in December 2027. “The NSCR is an investment in opportunity,” said Department of Economy, Planning, and Development Secretary and ED Council Vice Chair Arsenio M. Balisacan. Better connectivity will improve access to jobs, markets, education and public services across regions, with the overall goal of building a more productive, resilient and inclusive economy.
In parallel, the council extended the MCIA concession period to give the airport operator more time to recover its investments. This move is seen to support facility upgrades, restore and expand domestic and international routes, and ensure smoother transfers, while limiting pressure to raise passenger service fees. Under the revised terms, the concessionaire will pour in nearly P15 billion for capacity expansion and capital improvements.
Three other development projects also had their scope, cost and implementation timelines adjusted: the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority’s Supporting Innovation in the Philippine Technical and Vocational Education and Training System project; the Department of Public Works and Highways’ Road Network Development Project in Conflict-Affected Areas in Mindanao; and the Department of Social Welfare and Development’s Reducing Food Insecurity and Undernutrition with Electronic Vouchers program.
Additionally, the council ordered a further review of guidelines on class suspension and resumption. The goal is to provide schools and local government units with clearer, more flexible protocols amid growing risks from tropical cyclones, earthquakes, storm surges, poor air quality, volcanic activity and extreme heat. “Refining this policy is a matter of urgency,” Balisacan stressed, noting the need to protect students and staff while keeping education going amid evolving hazards.
