NEWSFLASH

Manila, Aug. 16, 2000 - The government has assured the public that the plan for the extension of the Light Rail Transit (LRT) project up to Cavite will be finalized soon.

Secretary Vicente Rivera of the Department of Transportation and Communications (DOTC) said recently that the National Economic and Development Authority-Investment Coordinating Committee (NEDA-ICC) has approved the performance undertaking of the LRT 1 extension, leaving the implementation agreement and the financial aspect the only items to be finalized.

The LRT 1 extension is a joint venture between SNC Lavalin International, the largest construction engineering company in Canada and the Light Rail Transit Authority (LRTA).

Rivera said Lavalin proposed to undertake and finance the entire project – from the civil works to the electro-mechanical portion and rolling stocks at a fixed capital of $597 million, with no expense on the part of LRTA.

At the end of 30 years, the private firm turns over the LRT 1 extension to the government.

The LRT 1 extension project is a priority of the government as it can ease heavy traffic congestion in the coastal corridor, the main transportation axis serving the southern portion of the metropolis and a vital link to Cavite and the high-growth Calabarzon (Cavite-Laguna-Batangas-Rizal-Quezon) areas.

"It can carry 555,000 commuters per day or more and this project is the number one solution when it comes to traffic in the area," Rivera said.

The project is divided into three phases. Phase 1 is a 12-kilometer, fully elevated guideway along the coast from Baclaran station passing through Pasay, Paranaque, Las Pinas, and Bacoor.

Phase 2 will extend the line four kilometers south to Imus. This is, however, subject to the availability of financing and right-of-way.

Phase 3 will extend the line 11 kilometers south to Dasmarinas, The LRT 1 extension project will have 10 passenger stations for an average station spacing of 1.2 kilometers.

As this developed, three foreign consortia have expressed interest to take over the operations of the 14.5-kilometer LRT 1.

DOTC Undersecretary for Railways and Mass Transit Carlos Borromeo said these three consortia have already submitted bid offers to the DOTC.

Borromeo said the proposals are now being evaluated by the NEDA, Department of Finance, the Economic Coordinating Committee and the Office of the President.

"Presently, we are preparing the terms of reference, (TOR). In this, we have to consider the track record of the bidders in light rail vehicle operations and their capability to continuously maintain a high level of efficiency in management, maintenance, safety and finance," Borromeo said.

Borromeo also reassured the safety of the riding public as it expressed confidence it can resume regular LRT operations any time next week.

"We’re doing everything we can. We’re beefing up operations. Operating the trains is easy. However, it’s the maintenance that we are trying to augment to ensure that normal operation from 5:30 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. are adequately supported," Borromeo said.

He debunked claims by dismissed members of Pinag-isang Lakas ng Manggagawa sa Metro Inc. (Piglas) that the DOTC and the LRTA are endangering the lives of commuters for using inexperienced operators to drive the trains.

Borromeo said the DOTC will manage the operations of the LRT 1 until January 2001.