Department of Economy, Planning, and Development has approved key implementation refinements for the Metro Rail Transit Line 7 to accelerate project completion and support the target of partial operations by 2027 in the Philippines.
The adjustments were endorsed during the ninth meeting of the Economy and Development Council and are intended to resolve long-standing construction bottlenecks, particularly issues related to right-of-way acquisition that delayed the project beyond its original 2019 completion target. As of early 2026, MRT-7 is reported to be more than 85 per cent complete. Once operational, the line is expected to reduce travel time between Quezon City and Bulacan from around three hours to approximately 35 minutes, while serving up to 850,000 passengers daily. The project is considered critical to easing congestion in Metro Manila and improving regional economic connectivity.
The government also approved revisions to a separate transport-related programme involving the acquisition of 40 fast patrol craft for the Philippine Coast Guard. The project cost was increased to PHP31.8 billion from PHP25.8 billion due to exchange rate movements and revised financing arrangements. The patrol craft programme is aimed at strengthening maritime security, disaster response and law enforcement capabilities.