LRTA and Villar Group Forge Landmark Agreement to Accelerate LRT-1 Cavite Extension

LRTA and Villar Group Forge Landmark Agreement to Accelerate LRT-1 Cavite Extension

By Jerome Aning – TheNATIONWEEK.com | September 11, 2026

MANILA, Philippines – A critical hurdle in the ambitious LRT-1 South (Cavite) Extension Project has been decisively overcome, as the Light Rail Transit Authority (LRTA) and the Villar Group have formalized a crucial Memorandum of Agreement (MOA). This landmark pact secures the vital right-of-way for the construction of the Las Piñas Station through a significant land donation, propelling forward a project poised to dramatically transform commuter life in the southern metropolitan corridor.

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has issued a clear mandate to the Department of Transportation (DOTr) to eliminate right-of-way obstructions and fast-track the implementation of major mass transport systems. This directive underscores the government’s unwavering commitment to enhancing public infrastructure.

Transportation Secretary Banoy Lopez lauded the Villar Group’s contribution, emphasizing its immediate and profound impact on the project’s timeline. “President Marcos Jr. has been emphatic: all right-of-way requirements must be expeditiously resolved to accelerate the construction of our railway systems and other critical mass transport projects,” Secretary Lopez stated. “This donation is a game-changer for our commuters in Las Piñas and Cavite, significantly alleviating their daily travel burdens.”

The agreement stipulates the Villar Group’s donation of approximately 4,465 square meters of land, specifically designated for the Las Piñas Station. This strategic acquisition is a cornerstone in realizing the full scope of the LRT-1 extension.

LRTA Administrator Atty. Hernando Cabrera highlighted the substantial fiscal and operational benefits of this donation. “This generous act will result in considerable savings of public funds, directly translating to a more efficient allocation of resources,” Administrator Cabrera explained. “Crucially, it removes a significant impediment, allowing us to advance the project with unprecedented speed and bring its completion much closer.”

Ferdinand Sabillo, Corporate Secretary for the Villar Group and Golden Haven Memorial Park, reiterated the Group’s unwavering commitment to national development. “Our donation reflects our commitment to improving the daily commutes of Filipinos, particularly those residing in Las Piñas, Parañaque, and neighboring areas,” Sabillo affirmed. “We stand ready to support the government in any capacity that enhances the lives of our fellow citizens.”

This MOA is expected to unlock the necessary momentum for the remaining segments of the LRT Line 1 South (Cavite) Extension Project, extending vital rail service to communities across southern Metro Manila and Cavite.

Upon its anticipated completion, the LRT-1 Cavite Extension is projected to serve an additional 300,000 passengers daily. This expansion will drastically cut travel time from Baclaran in Parañaque to Bacoor in Cavite, reducing the current 70-minute journey to a mere 25 minutes – a profound transformation for hundreds of thousands of commuters.

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