President Ferdinand R. Marcos on Friday led the inauguration of the Light Rail Transit Line 1 (LRT-1) Cavite Extension Project (L1CE) Phase 1, marking a significant milestone in modernizing the transport system in the Philippines.
In his speech, President Marcos acknowledged his father, former President Ferdinand E. Marcos Sr., for initiating the construction of Metro Manila’s first urban rail transit system. This initial endeavor ultimately grew into the larger rail transit system that serves the National Capital Region, including the L1CE.
“On this day, no one is happier than his son in seeing that his father’s foresight is being validated by another work that expands mass transit that he had built for the people that he loved,” the President said during the inauguration ceremony in Parañaque City.
The President also expressed appreciation for his predecessors, acknowledging their efforts in advancing the L1CE project.
“The L-1-CE Project has been a long time in the making—spanning five administrations, starting with President Estrada, to President Arroyo, President Aquino, President Duterte, and now, to mine,” President Marcos said.
“We owe this progress to the hard work and dedication of my predecessors; we must recognize their roles in helping making this dream a reality,” he added.
Phase 1 of the L1CE covers the first five stations: Redemptorist-ASEANA, Manila International Airport Road, Parañaque Integrated Terminal Exchange (PITX), Ninoy Aquino Avenue, and Dr. Santos (formerly Sucat).
The project, set to be operational starting Saturday, November 16, is expected to serve an additional 80,000 passengers daily. It is expected to reduce the travel time between Baclaran, Pasay City and Bacoor, Cavite, from one hour and 10 minutes to just 25 minutes.
“By serving commuters across southern Metro Manila, Cavite, neighboring areas, the whole project creates a smoother, more reliable mode of transport,” President Marcos said.
The project is also expected to accommodate an additional 300,000 daily passengers in the first year of full operations and alleviate traffic conditions in the cities of Parañaque, Las Piñas, and Bacoor, Cavite.
The Chief Executive also affirmed the government’s commitment to a seamless, modernized public transportation system would continue, with additional rail projects like the MRT-7 and the North-South Commuter Railway. |PND
