As part of moves to better the rail network in the metro.
In an interview with Ted Failon at DJ Chacha on True FM last Thursday, July 30, Transportation Secretary Giovanni Lopez tackled matters in relation to the state of the railway in the metro.
He discussed that the government is set to lay down its terms to the Villar Group for the donation of six land parcels on Las Piñas City.
The said plots will be vital for the stalled construction of the Light Rail Transit Line 1 (LRT-1) extension to Cavite, which will pasz through the area to connect from the current terminus at Dr. Santos (Sucat) to Bacoor.
The conditions, he revealed, include giving DOTr an unconditional permit to enter; the deed of donation will cover that condition and that the government should be free from all liabilities, no subrogation; and the cancellation of the mortgage on the land to be donated.
The transport chief noted that the DOTr requires 8,389 square meters of land to construct the Las Pinas and Zapote stations, with 4,990 square meters of which supposed to be donated by the Villar Group for the construction of the Las Piñas station.
However, two of the six parcels of land from the Villar Group are still under encumbrance and Lopez emphasized that the only way for the government to agree to this location is for the Villar Group to donate it. “That’s the only way,” he stressed and asked for more proof of the otjer side’s willingness to donate.
“Sabi nila they’re going to donate it. Ang sabi namin ibigay niyo na yung mga papeles para makita namin kung good faith talaga yung pagbigay niyo sa gobyerno,” he added.
He also stressed that it is a “take it or leave it offer” and that the government will proceed to constructing the other stations and skip the Las Piñas station off for now, should the deal not push through in accordance with the terms.
“Kasi once they will refuse the offer of the government—‘yung tatlo na non-negotiable sa DOTr at saka sa LRTA (Light Rail Transit Authority) —- ito po, wala po problema sa alignment, okay na po tayo. Istasyon na lang ang problema,” Lopez added.
GRAND CENTRAL STATION
Meanwhile, the DOTr is also working to ensure the partial/interim operations of the Unified Grand Central Station o Common Station will start in the first quarter of 2028.
According to Secretary Lopez, the Economy and Development (ED) Council have approved the variation order of the project.
“Kaka-approve lang po ng ED. Ang nangyari po kasi dito, we terminated the contract. And nung na-terminate po natin ‘yan, nakipag-usap tayo sa LRMC (Light Rail Manila Corporation) if they can continue the project by way of variation order,” he told.
He also noted that while the rest of the station is under construction, the DOTr will worl to ensure commuters will have convenient transfers in between lines.
The Grand Unified Central Station will connect the LRT-1, Metro Rail Transit Line 3 (MRT-3) and Line 7 (MRT-7), as well as the future Metro Manila Subway.
Lopez said that the department has talked wiyh the Trinoma management, who promised a sheltered access way towards MRT-3 fof commuters. He also added the further works needed, such as rail signaling.
“Since first quarter of 2028 pa matatapos na ‘yun kasi we’re fixing the signaling, kailangan kasi may signaling ang rail transport po ‘yan,” he explained. “Ang gagawin po namin ngayon is to ensure na ‘pag natapos na po ‘yung North Avenue, MRT-7, at functional na po ‘yan, magagamit ng ating mga commuters ‘yung concourse at platform. At kausap na rin po namin ang Trinoma na magbibigay sila ng kumbaga access road o access way papunta sa ating MRT-3. In that way, hindi sila maglalakad sa ilalim sa kalsada.”
Despite this, he expects the Common Station to be completed by 2030.
