By Benjamin Cuaresma
MANILA, Philippines — The long-delayed second phase of the Light Rail Transit Line 1 (LRT-1) Cavite Extension is gaining ground after key right-of-way and relocation issues involving the Las Piñas and Bacoor sections were addressed, the Light Rail Transit Authority (LRTA) said.
The LRTA has accelerated pre-construction activities for the second segment of the extension after resolving the location of the Las Piñas station and beginning financial assistance for informal settlers who will be affected by the project.
In July, the LRTA conducted a coordination meeting to facilitate the deed of donation for the right of way of the Las Piñas station, the first of two stations planned under the second phase.
The discussions resulted in an agreement with the Villar Group to donate six parcels of land for the station.
The donation has been confirmed, although the turnover of the properties could take up to six months.
The LRTA has also started distributing financial assistance to informal settlers in Bacoor, Cavite, paving the way for the relocation of families who will be displaced by the rail project.
Bacoor will host the final station of the LRT-1 Cavite Extension, which is expected to significantly cut travel time between the southern corridor and Pasay to about 25 minutes, from roughly 1.5 hours.
As part of its preparatory work, the LRTA conducted inspections of underground pipelines operated by Maynilad Water Services Inc. along Fruto Santos and Diego Cera avenues in Las Piñas.
The agency likewise inspected the relocation of underground lines belonging to connectivity provider PT&T Corp. along the C5 Extension.
The resolution of the Las Piñas station site removes one of the major obstacles that had slowed the project.
Metro Pacific Group chairman Manuel V. Pangilinan has repeatedly pushed for the speedy resolution of issues affecting the extension, citing its importance to workers and commuters traveling from southern parts of Mega Manila.
The Villar Group’s agreement to donate the required properties to the Department of Transportation (DOTr) was among the issues that needed to be settled before construction could move forward.
Once the donation and turnover process is completed, the DOTr is expected to transfer the property to Light Rail Manila Corp., which is responsible for constructing and operating the extension as part of its LRT-1 concession.
With right-of-way concerns and relocation assistance moving forward, authorities are now working to regain lost time and advance the remaining pre-construction requirements for the second phase of the Cavite Extension.
ia/xf
