A major step toward the continued expansion of the LRT Line 1 South (Cavite) Extension Project was marked today as the Light Rail Transit Authority (LRTA) and the Villar Group formalized an agreement for the donation of right-of-way that will be used for the construction of the Las Piñas Station.

The Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) Signing for the Donation of Right-of-Way was held at the Command Center of the Administration Building at the LRT Line 1 Depot in Pasay City, bringing together representatives from the LRTA and the Villar Group, through Fine Properties Inc., Villar Land Holding Corporation, and Golden Haven Memorial Park.

Under the agreement, the Villar Group will donate approximately 4,990 square meters of land for the Las Piñas Station.

The signing of the agreement is in line with the directive of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to accelerate projects that provide greater convenience and relief to commuters. It also supports the directive of DOTr Secretary Giovanni Lopez to address challenges affecting the implementation of government projects and programs.

LRTA Administrator Atty. Hernando Cabrera expressed his appreciation to the Villar Group, recognizing its cooperation and support in helping the project reach this stage.

“To everyone, especially the Villar Group, we would not have reached this stage without your cooperation and support. We have gone through a long and complicated process, but eventually, we made it here, and for that, I am truly grateful to the Villar Group,” he said in Filipino.

Atty. Cabrera also emphasized the practical impact of the donation, particularly in reducing government expenditures and helping accelerate the completion of the project.

“This donation will allow the government to save a significant amount of public funds. More importantly, it will help us move the project forward and complete it much sooner,” he added.

He likewise extended his gratitude to the Department of Transportation (DOTr) for its guidance and continued support throughout the process.

For the Villar Group, Mr. Ferdinand Sabillo, Corporate Secretary of Golden Haven Memorial Park, described the signing as a concrete demonstration of the group’s willingness to work with the government on projects that directly benefit the public.

“As they say, no matter how long the journey, we eventually reach our destination. Today’s signing is a testament to the Villar Group’s willingness and commitment to work with the government in making life easier for our people, particularly through this project,” he said.

Sabillo said the donation is intended to help make daily travel easier for commuters, particularly those in Las Piñas, Parañaque, and surrounding areas.

“We will always be ready and willing to support the government in any way we can to help make the lives of our fellow Filipinos easier,” he emphasized.

He added that the group remains ready to support the government in similar initiatives and expressed hope that the agreement would serve as the beginning of further cooperation between the public and private sectors.

“We hope that this will just be the start of more cooperation and more projects to come to help our Filipino people,” Sabillo said.

The MOA is expected to help facilitate the necessary activities for the remaining portions of the LRT Line 1 South (Cavite) Extension Project, bringing rail service closer to communities in the southern part of Metro Manila and Cavite.

The project forms part of the government’s continuing efforts to expand and improve public transportation infrastructure, providing commuters with a more efficient and reliable alternative for daily travel.

Representing the LRTA during the signing were Administrator Atty. Hernando Cabrera; Deputy Administrator for Operations and Engineering Paul Chua; Deputy Administrator for Administrative, Finance and AFCS Atty. Jose Jobel Belarmino; Felix Gerard Leyson, Department Manager of Line 1 Operations and Head of the Concession Agreement Management Team; and Engr. Joseph Dexter Buenconsejo, OIC-Project Manager.

Also present during the MOA signing were LRMC representative Benedict Bravo and Jomar Lua, Project Manager IV of the Rail Unified Project Management Office (RUPMO), Department of Transportation (DOTr).

The LRTA continues to strengthen its partnerships with government agencies and the private sector to advance infrastructure projects that will provide more accessible, safe, reliable, and efficient public transportation services for Filipino commuters.