THE Department of Transportation (DOTr) has called on business tycoon Manny Villar to promptly act on the proposed right-of-way usage agreement (ROWUA), warning that further delays could jeopardize the timely completion of the multi-billion-peso LRT-1 Cavite Extension Project.
DOTr Secretary Giovanni Z. Lopez cautioned that the continued inaction of the Villar Group could further delay the construction of the planned Las Piñas Station, increase project costs, and cause additional setbacks to the implementation of the long-overdue railway project.
The LRT-1 Cavite Extension Project has been decades in the making, spanning five administrations—from former Presidents Joseph Estrada, Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, Benigno Aquino III, and Rodrigo Duterte, to the current administration of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.
In a follow-up letter, Lopez said the government has exhausted all efforts and maintained good faith coordination with the landowners regarding the proposed station location at the intersection of C-5 Extension and Tramo Road.
“Despite our continued coordination and good faith efforts, the landowners have yet to approve the draft ROWUA necessary to formalize their commitment to donate the property to the project at no cost to the government, “Lopez said in his two-page letter addressed to Cynthia J. Javarez, president of Fine Properties, Inc., and president of Golden MV Holdings, Inc.
Earlier, President Marcos directed Lopez to immediately address and resolve the issues and longstanding concerns affecting the construction and operations of the Cavite segment of the Light Rail Transit Line 1 (LRT-1) Cavite Extension Project.
The President instructed Lopez to work closely with concerned agencies and stakeholders to remove bottlenecks, settle pending issues, and facilitate the continuous implementation of the much-delayed, multi-billion-peso infrastructure project.
The directive came following a letter sent by Las Piñas Rep.e Mark Anthony Santos to the President outlining concerns that continue to hamper the project’s progress.
In his letter, Santos informed the President that the C-5 Quirino Flyover in Las Piñas City has become the center of a major infrastructure conflict because it obstructs the alignment of the LRT-1 Cavite Extension, resulting in years of construction delays.
The flyover was constructed during the tenure of then DPWH Secretary and now Senator Mark Villar. Santos and several transport officials have described the project as a “blunder” and have raised the possibility of partially dismantling the structure.
Lopez recalled that on April 23, 2024, representatives of the Villar Group proposed the realignment of the Las Piñas Station to Tramo Road. Following a series of technical discussions among the DOTr, LRTA, Light Rail Manila Corporation (LRMC), and representatives of the Villar Group, the LRTA Board conditionally approved the relocation of the station on July 18, 2025.
The approval, however, was expressly conditioned on the execution of a ROWUA under which the affected property would be provided to the government at no cost, consistent with repeated representations made by the landowners during meetings, official communications, and public statements.
According to Lopez, the concessionaire had already undertaken feasibility studies, redesign work, and technical assessments in preparation for the approved 2025 station location based on the landowners’ request to reconsider the previously approved 2022 alignment.
“It must be emphasized that any further changes from the committed 2025 location will require another round of redesigns, feasibility studies, technical assessments, and related works, resulting in significant additional costs and delays that may extend the project by two years or more,” he said.
The transportation chief warned that the continued absence of a response could compel the government to revert to the previously approved 2022 alignment for the Las Piñas Station.
“In order to avoid further delays in the implementation of the project, we are requesting the prompt review and acceptance of the draft Right-of-Way Usage Agreement. As of this writing, 99 calendar days have elapsed since the landowners received the agreement, and the Grantors have yet to receive a response,” Lopez said.
He added that if no response is received within 30 calendar days from receipt of the follow-up letter, the Grantors would presume that the landowners are no longer willing to pursue their expressed intention to contribute the property to the project.
Consequently, the government may revert to the previously approved 2022 alignment for the Las Piñas Station, a move that could trigger another round of redesigns, feasibility studies, and technical assessments, resulting in additional costs and further delays in the implementation of the LRT-1 Cavite Extension Project.
The DOTr reiterated its commitment to ensuring the timely completion of the LRT-1 Cavite Extension Project, emphasizing the need for all parties to work together to deliver a modern, efficient, and reliable transport system for the benefit of commuters traveling between Metro Manila and Cavite.
