The Light Rail Transit (LRT)-1 Cavite Extension, which will cover five stations –
Redemptorist Station, MIA Station, Asia World Station, Ninoy Aquino Station, and Dr. Santos Stations – is set to be operational by the end of 2024.

Department of Transportation (DOTr) Secretary Jaime Bautista emphasized that once these five Parañaque stations are operational, an affordable and comfortable mobility option that is accessible to other transport hubs will be available to commuters.

He stressed, “The LRT-1 Cavite project will contribute to easing the traffic. With the operations of the project, maraming makaka-connect sa PITX, it will help many passengers, as well as to the airport. It will really improve accessibility and comfort to the riding public,” Sec. Bautista said.

The Dr. Santos Station intermodal connectivity, he said, will also give passengers other modes of transportation, such as modern jeepneys, tricycles, UV Express, as well as buses.

Bautista added, “With the intermodal setup, mas maraming choices ang mga passengers. Magkakaroon dito ng jeepney, possible buses, UV express, and even motorcycle taxis. Maraming options ang mga passengers.”

Department of Finance (DOF) Secretary Ralph Recto, for his part, underscored that the opening of this rail line will be beneficial to small enterprises around the area.

“This represents a dramatic shift in transit-oriented development here in the Philippines. It will not only connect Manila to Cavite but also act as a catalyst for economic activity, creating new opportunities for more jobs and businesses to flourish in Region IV-A or the CALABARZON… Many students who are going to Recto, going to University Belt, na galing Parañaque or Cavite, makikinabang din sila dito,” he said.

The project is financed through an innovative hybrid model composed of an official development assistance (ODA) from the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) Philippines, the private sector operator Light Rail Manila Corporation (LRMC), and the Philippine government.

It is an 11.7-kilometer extension to the existing 20.7 km. LRT-1 system that will traverse the cities of Parañaque, Las Piñas, and Bacoor, Cavite, with a satellite depot in Zapote.

The project is envisioned to reduce travel time from Baclaran, Pasay to Niog, Cavite from 1 hour and 10 minutes via local roads to only 25 minutes via train.

The Package 1 of the project which is set to be operational by end-2024 will cut travel time between Baclaran to Dr. Santos Avenue, Parañaque from the current 20 to 40 minutes via local roads to only 14 minutes.

The 11.7-kilometer rail extension is expected to increase its ridership from 500,000 to 800,000 passengers.

Sec. Bautista and Sec. Recto inspected the project on Friday (June 7), joined by Parañaque City Mayor Eric Olivarez, Parañaque 1st District Rep. Edwin Olivarez, Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA) Chair Romando Artes, and other transport officials.

They were also accompanied by Assistant Secretary for Railways Jorjette Aquino, Public Works Undersecretary Maria Catalina Cabral, Light Rail Manila Corporation (LRMC) President and CEO Jose Ma. K. Lim and General Manager Enrico Benipayo, Light Rail Transit Authority (LRTA) Administrator Atty. Hernando Cabrera, and JICA Philippines Chief Representative Takema Sakamoto.

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