Las pi±as: Las Pi±as Lone District Rep. Mark Anthony Santos on Tuesday welcomed the Marcos administration's proposed PHP1.17 billion allocation next year for the long-delayed construction of the Light Rail Transit Line 1 (LRT-1) Cavite Extension Project.
According to Philippines News Agency, Santos thanked President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and his administration for recognizing the urgency of completing the project, saying the proposed funding increase would help address the financial and right-of-way challenges that have hampered the project, particularly the remaining extension serving Las Pi±as and Cavite.
Santos expressed that the additional funding is a positive development for the people of Las Pi±as and the entire southern Metro Manila area. He emphasized that this long-awaited project is getting a stronger push toward completion, which will be welcomed by the community.
The Marcos administration plans to allocate PHP197.3 billion for the country's rail transport program in 2027, marking a significant increase from this year's budget. This proposal is part of the government's initiative to accelerate major railway projects across the nation.
Under the proposed 2027 National Expenditure Program (NEP), the Rail Transport Program is set to receive a substantial increase, up by PHP141.96 billion, representing a 256.54-percent rise from the P55.34 billion provided under the 2026 General Appropriations Act (GAA).
Specifically, for the LRT-1 Cavite Extension Project, the proposed allocation under the national infrastructure budget is PHP1.17 billion, up from PHP799.64 million in 2026. The project was initially estimated at PHP64.92 billion and involves an 11.7-kilometer extension from Baclaran to Niog Station in Bacoor, Cavite, with the remaining stations covering Las Pi±as, Zapote, and Niog in Cavite.
The construction of the LRT-1 Cavite Extension commenced in 2019, with Phase 1 originally set for completion in 2022. However, the timeline was delayed due to the Covid-19 pandemic, leading to an additional PHP4 billion in costs.
Despite previous delays, a critical Right-of-Way Usage Agreement remained unsigned due to ongoing negotiations between the Department of Transportation (DOTr) and Villar-affiliated firms. However, an agreement is set to be signed on Sept. 10, resolving the land issue that has delayed construction.
The DOTr announced that the agreement would provide the government with access to the land necessary for a station in Las Pi±as, a crucial part of the multibillion-peso railway project.
Santos highlighted that the LRT-1 Cavite Extension is more than just an infrastructure project. It promises to provide commuters with a faster, safer, and more reliable alternative to the heavily congested roads connecting Para±aque, Las Pi±as, and Cavite.
