Right-of-way for LRT-1 Cavite Extension project almost finish

By Raymond Carl Dela Cruz

The Light Rail Transit Authority (LRTA) announced on Tuesday the delivery of right-of-way for the Light Rail Transit Line 1 (LRT-1) Cavite Extension is almost complete and partial operability of the project by end of 2021 is on track.

In a statement, the company said one pipe from Maynilad, telecommunications (telco) and cable facilities of six companies, and 18 lots of three landowners remain before the acquisition of the right-of-way of the project is at 100 percent.

According to Maynilad, its 1,100-mm. pipe will be relocated once the Cavite Infrastructure Corporation (CIC) issues a permit—which the CIC promised to deliver before November 1.

Since Maynilad, the CIC, and the Light Rail Manila Corporation (LRMC)—the build-operate-maintain project contractor of the LRT-1 Cavite Extension—are all subsidiaries of Manny Pangilinan-led Metro Pacific Investments Corporation (MPIC), the LRTA is confident no delays would arise from the relocation of the pipeline.

Meanwhile, representatives of Cable Link, Eastern Telecoms, Globe Telecom, PLDT, Radius Telecoms, and Sky Cable committed to relocate or cut their remaining telco and cable facilities within October.

“Whatever remaining utilities may already be cut to give way to LRMC’s constructions works, especially the movement of its rigs,” the LRTA said.

Other obstructions such as plant boxes, lamp posts, traffic signals, and closed-circuit television cameras will also be removed soon with the help of Parañaque City Mayor Edwin Olivarez in the clearing works, the LRTA said.

The LRTA also said permits allowing the start of civil works within the 18 remaining lots will be issued within October by their three landowners: Philippine Reclamation Authority for 16 lots, Puregold and D.M. Wenceslao for one lot each.

“With the cooperation of all the above stakeholders, the 19-years delayed LRT-1 Cavite Extension Project, which is expected to service up to 800,000 per day, is finally on track to partial operations by the end of 2021,” the LRTA said.

On Sept. 1, the LRMC started the excavation, drilling, and piling works of the LRT-1 Cavite Extension and on Sept. 18 started substructure concreting works.

Last May, Pangilinan ordered the partial operability of the Cavite extension “a full year before 2022” which will cover the first seven kilometers and five stations of the project.

Once completed, the PHP64.9 billion project will extend the LRT-1 from the existing Baclaran station southward to the future Niyog station in Bacoor, Cavite—about 11.7 kilometers in length with eight additional stations.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1082596