A lawmaker urged the Department of Transportation to end negotiations with the Villar Group and move immediately to complete the long-delayed ₱64.9-billion LRT-1 Cavite Extension Project.
Las Piñas Rep. Mark Anthony Santos warned that prolonging the talks would further delay the railway project, which is expected to benefit millions of commuters.
He said the government must prioritize the project’s completion and adopt the most efficient, cost-effective and legally sound approach to constructing the remaining portions of the extension.
“Out of delicadeza, I respectfully urge DOTr Secretary Giovanni Lopez and Light Rail Transit Authority (LRTA) Administrator Hernando Cabrera to suspend further negotiations with the Villar Group while issues affecting the project remain unresolved,” Santos said.
According to Santos, the DOTr, LRTA, and Villar Group have spent the past six years negotiating a proposed Right-of-Way Usage Agreement covering the remaining three stations of the LRT-1 Cavite Extension.
“The time for endless negotiations is over. The DOTr should stop negotiating with the Villar Group and move forward with the construction of the LRT-1 Cavite Extension. The Filipino people have waited long enough for this vital infrastructure project,” Santos said.
“It appears that the Villar Group is merely keeping the government tied up in negotiations to ultimately advance its own business interests. The Villar family’s offer to donate the land for the proposed Las Piñas Station remains unclear because they still expect the government to provide compensation,” he added.
Santos cited a follow-up letter sent by Lopez to Fine Properties Inc. and Golden MV Holdings Inc. President Cynthia Javarez regarding the proposed station site at the intersection of C-5 Extension and Tramo Road.
In the letter, Lopez said the government had exhausted its efforts to coordinate with the landowners affected by the project.
“Despite our continued coordination and good-faith efforts, the landowners (Villar Group) have yet to approve the draft Right-of-Way Usage Agreement (ROWUA) necessary to formalize their commitment to donate the property to the project at no cost to the government,” Lopez said.
Santos also cited criminal complaints filed by the Securities and Exchange Commission before the Department of Justice over alleged violations involving Villar Land Holdings Corp.
He said the developments underscored the need for government agencies to exercise greater prudence in dealing with the companies involved.
“Regardless of the outcome of those proceedings, government agencies must ensure that every official action upholds the highest standards of integrity, transparency, and accountability. The Filipino people deserve nothing less,” Santos said.
The lawmaker urged the DOTr and LRTA to exhaust all available legal, engineering and administrative remedies to prevent further delays while protecting public funds.
“The government’s primary obligation is to protect the public interest and ensure that taxpayer-funded infrastructure projects are completed on schedule. The LRT-1 Cavite Extension should be finished before the end of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s term in June 2028,” Santos said.