Manny Villar eyes to takeover Cavite leg of LRT1’s Cavite extension

Philippines’ richest tycoon Manuel Villar is proposing to take over the construction as well as the operations of the Cavite leg of the Light Rail Transit Line 1’s (LRT1) Cavite Extension Project and extend it further all the way to Silang.

In a press chat, Villar told reporters that he is in talks with the groups of Ayala Corp. and businessman Manny Pangilinan for his plan to acquire the rights to develop and extend the project’s remaining segments.

Currently, private operator Light Rail Manila Corp. (LRMC) is constructing the first five stations of the LRT1 Cavite Extension Project spanning 6.7 kilometers within the city of Parañaque, namely Redemptorist, MIA, PITX Asia World, Ninoy Aquino, and Dr. Santos.

The first five stations or the Phase 1 of the project is currently at 88% progress rate and is targeted to be completed next year.

As to the Cavite leg of the project, the company earlier said that delays in the delivery of right-of-way are hampering the start of ground works. The segment covers the last three stations of LRT1 Cavite Extension project, namely Las Piñas, Zapote, and Niog.

LRMC is a joint venture company of Pangilinan-led Metro Pacific Investments Corp. and Ayala Corp.’s AC Infrastructure along with Sumitomo Corp., and Macquarie Investments Holdings (Philippines) PTE Ltd.

Villar said the MPIC and Ayala groups are contemplating to stop the project at Sucat, Parañaque, where the Dr. Santos station is located.

“We are negotiating because it looks like they don’t want to continue… they are stopping until Sucat,” the businessman said.

Sought for inquiry, LRMC declined to comment on Villar’s proposal.

Transportation Undersecretary for Railways Cesar Chavez, meanwhile, said the Department of Transportation is yet to receive a proposal from Villar Group concerning the planned takeover of LRT1 Cavite Extension Project’s Cavite segment.

Should his group take over, Villar said the project will be extended with “seven stops” from Niog in Bacoor - the last station of the project - to Governor’s Drive in Dasmariñas passing through Molino.

“But I want to extend it all the way to Silang, closer to Tagaytay,” he said.

Villar also said that right-of-way will not be an issue since he owns the land covered by the proposed alignment.

“I can get the right of way since I own the land where it will traverse,” he said.

He added that it would be at no cost to the government.

The businessman said his group will be seeking a partner for the project.—AOL, GMA Integrated News