Las Piñas City Lone District Representative Mark Anthony Santos has called on President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to step in and resolve the deadlock paralyzing the ₱64.9-billion LRT-1 Cavite Extension Project to ensure its prompt completion.
Santos highlighted that the mass transit expansion, which promises relief to millions of commuters across Las Piñas, Parañaque, and Cavite, continues to suffer from years of stagnation.
He maintained that the lingering complications should no longer stall the critical infrastructure initiative.
“It is now imperative for President Marcos to step in so that the much-delayed ₱64.9-billion LRT-1 Cavite Extension Project can finally move forward. The people have waited long enough for a railway system that will ease traffic congestion, shorten travel time, and improve their quality of life,” Santos said.
The lawmaker pointed out that during the State of the Nation Address, President Marcos actively commanded state bodies to resolve pressing water service concerns, including issues surrounding PrimeWater Infrastructure Corporation.
He further noted the Chief Executive’s decisive action regarding the Siquijor power crisis, which erupted after the Energy Regulatory Commission ordered the closure of Siquijor Island Power Corporation (SIPCOR)—a firm owned by the family of tycoon and former Senate President Manny Villar—due to service failures.
Santos recounted how Marcos traveled to the province himself to order regulators and the utility provider to iron out the dispute.
“I am hopeful that President Marcos will demonstrate the same resolve in addressing the issues delaying the LRT-1 Cavite Extension Project. Millions of commuters have already waited far too long,” Santos said.
Santos revealed he had alerted Public Works Secretary Vince Dizon that the ₱300.39-million C-5 Quirino Flyover in Las Piñas forced a modification of the railway’s authorized 2022 path.
According to the legislator, the flyover was built during the leadership of former Public Works chief and current Senator Mark Villar, directly blocking the path originally mapped out for the train line. This conflict necessitated costly blueprint alterations and the acquisition of new right-of-way zones.
Additionally, Santos referenced prior statements from Light Rail Transit Authority Administrator Hernando Cabrera, who indicated that the Villar Group’s promise to provide land for the planned Las Piñas Station remains unfulfilled, as a formal Right-of-Way Usage Agreement (ROWUA) has yet to be finalized.
The lawmaker stressed that the chronic setbacks continue to rob locals of a faster, safer, and dependable transit network, while worsening traffic bottlenecks and stifling commerce in Cavite and southern Metro Manila.
“This isn’t just about a construction delay. It’s about determining whether billions of pesos in public funds were wasted because government agencies failed to coordinate with one another—or worse, ignored a problem that could have been prevented,” Santos said.
“Mr. President, kayo na lamang po ang pag-asa ng milyun-milyong mananakay mula sa Las Piñas, Parañaque, at Cavite upang tuluyan nang maisakatuparan ang proyektong ito at gumaan ang kanilang araw-araw na biyahe,” the solon added.