LAS Piñas Lone District Rep. Mark Anthony Santos yesterday urged the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) to immediately dismantle the obstructing portion of the C-5 Quirino Flyover to fast-track the long-delayed multibillion-peso LRT-1 Cavite Extension Project.
Santos said dismantling the ₱300.39-million flyover is the most practical solution, allowing the government to immediately proceed with Phase 2 of the railway project, which covers the 3.2-kilometer stretch serving the Las Piñas and Zapote stations.
The third and final phase will extend another 2.4 kilometers to Niog in Bacoor, Cavite.
Santos disclosed that unresolved right-of-way (ROW) issues continue to stall Phase 2, putting at risk the government’s target of completing the railway before the end of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s term in June 2028.
Citing the 2019 dismantling of the Tandang Sora Flyover in Quezon City to make way for the MRT-7, Santos said the government should adopt the same approach in Las Piñas.
According to the Department of Transportation (DOTr), the Tandang Sora Flyover was removed because it occupied the exact site of the planned MRT-7 Tandang Sora Station.
Rather than redesign the railway alignment, the government dismantled the structure to allow the rail project to proceed despite the expected traffic disruption.
“The government dismantled the Tandang Sora Flyover to make way for the MRT-7. It should do the same with the C-5 Quirino Flyover if that is what it takes to complete the LRT-1 Cavite Extension Project,” said Santos, Deputy Majority Floor Leader.
Santos said he has informed DPWH Secretary Vince Dizon that the C-5 Quirino Flyover is the primary reason behind the changes to the project’s approved 2022 alignment.
He said the flyover, constructed during the tenure of then DPWH Secretary and now Sen. Mark Villar, physically occupies the space originally intended for the LRT-1 tracks, forcing costly redesigns and additional right-of-way negotiations.
The lawmaker also cited statements by Light Rail Transit Authority (LRTA) Administrator Hernando Cabrera that the Villar Group’s commitment to provide the land for the proposed Las Piñas Station free of charge has yet to be formalized through the required Right-of-Way Usage Agreement (ROWUA), further delaying the project.
Santos said that instead of redesigning the railway around the C-5 and Tramo Road intersection, the government should remove the obstructing portion of the flyover and immediately proceed with the construction of the remaining stations.
He added that repeated redesigns and right-of-way delays are expected to drive up project costs beyond the original ₱64.915-billion budget.
Based on estimates cited by infrastructure analysts and private contractors in Las Piñas, the remaining 5.5-kilometer stretch—from Las Piñas to Niog—is expected to cost around ₱30 billion to ₱35 billion, depending on right-of-way acquisition, utility relocation, inflation, redesigns, and any further construction delays.
“It is far more practical to dismantle a ₱300.39-million flyover than to spend an estimated ₱35 billion more because of repeated redesigns and prolonged delays. The government must choose the solution that best serves the public interest,” Santos added.
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