The Department of Transportation (DOTr) on Thursday assured the House of Representatives that the long-delayed LRT-1 Cavite Extension Project will finally move forward, with construction expected to begin before the end of the year.
Acting Transportation Secretary Giovanni Z. Lopez gave the assurance during the DOTr budget hearing, telling legislators that the government is committed to starting construction of the remaining sections of the multi-billion-peso railway project within 2026.
Las Piñas Lone District Rep. Mark Anthony Santos welcomed the DOTr’s commitment, saying the development brings renewed hope to thousands of commuters in Las Piñas, Parañaque, Bacoor and other parts of Cavite who have long waited for the project’s completion.
‘We welcome Secretary Lopez’s commitment that construction will finally begin within the year. For the people of Las Piñas, this is more than a government project-it is a long-awaited promise of faster, safer and more reliable transportation,’ Santos said.
The DOTr chief said the signing of a memorandum of agreement (MOA) among the DOTr, Villar Group, Light Rail Transit Authority (LRTA) and Light Rail Manila Corporation (LRMC) is expected to proceed this September. Once completed, the agreement will help address the remaining right-of-way concerns affecting the project alignment.
The MOA signing was earlier expected in August but was postponed, further delaying the start of construction activities.
The assurance comes amid an investigation ordered by Ombudsman Jesus Crispin C. Remulla into allegations involving the delayed implementation of the LRT-1 Cavite Extension Project.
Santos said commuters have endured years of long travel times and worsening traffic congestion due to repeated delays in the project’s completion.
Phase 1 of the extension project is already operational, extending LRT-1 service from Baclaran Station in Pasay City to Dr. Santos Station in Parañaque City. The remaining phases will include the construction of the Las Piñas, Zapote and Niog stations, completing the Cavite leg of the extension.
‘Our commuters have heard promises of completion for years. What they need now is not another promise but actual construction, workers on the ground and measurable progress,’ Santos said.
The lawmaker called on the DOTr, LRTA and LRMC to immediately resolve any remaining legal, technical and administrative issues that could further delay the project.
Santos also urged continued congressional and public monitoring to ensure that the government fulfills its latest commitment.
‘We will hold the agencies accountable to this commitment. If construction is promised within the year, then we expect to see actual construction activities before the year ends. The people of Las Piñas deserve nothing less,’ he said.
He emphasized that completing the remaining LRT-1 Cavite Extension stations would provide much-needed relief to commuters traveling between southern Metro Manila and Cavite.
‘For years, our people have been stuck in traffic for hours just to get to work, school and home. The LRT-1 extension can dramatically change that. But its benefits will only be felt when the project is actually built and operational,’ Santos said.
Santos called on the DOTr and other concerned agencies to maintain transparency and provide regular updates on the project’s progress.
‘This project has already lost too much time. We cannot afford another round of delays. The people of Las Piñas and Cavite have waited long enough. Now, we need to see construction begin and this long-delayed project finally move forward,’ Santos said.