Marcos opens LRT-1 Cavite extension's first 5 stations
PRESIDENT Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Friday inaugurated the Light Rail Transit Line 1 (LRT-1) Cavite Extension Project (L1CE) Phase 1, a mass transit system that aims to create "a smoother, more reliable mode of transport" in Metro Manila and Cavite. The president joined the inaugural ride during the launch of the partial operation of the project in Parañaque City. Like any other rider, Marcos claimed a ticket to be able to ride the train. He was joined by Transportation Secretary Jaime Bautista as well as other department secretaries and senators. In his speech, Marcos said the additional stations would provide vital access points for commuters in Metro Manila, Cavite, and neighboring areas. "With the Phase 1 completion, the LRT-1 will have the capacity to serve an additional 80,000 passengers every day, significantly enhancing our current ridership," he said. LRT-1 has an average daily ridership of 320,000 commuters. "Commuters will now see a great reduction in their travel time, allowing them to spend more time with their loved ones," Marcos said. Interviewed after his train ride, Marcos said the government should build more rail projects for the convenience of commuters. The president said the L1CE Phase 1 would start operations at 5 a.m. today, Nov. 16. Phase 1 covers the first five stations: Redemptorist-Aseana, Manila International Airport Road, Parañaque Integrated Terminal Exchange, Ninoy Aquino Avenue, and Dr. Santos (formerly Sucat). Marcos turned down the idea of offering free rides to commuters to celebrate the opening of the five new stations. "This is not operated by the government. We need to pay our debt first," he said. The project, which is expected to serve an additional 80,000 passengers daily, will reduce travel time between Baclaran, Pasay City, and Bacoor, Cavite, from one hour and 10 minutes to just 25 minutes. It is also expected to accommodate an additional 300,000 daily passengers in the first year of full operations and ease traffic build-ups in the cities of Parañaque, Las Piñas, and Bacoor, Cavite. Marcos acknowledged his father, the late president Ferdinand Marcos Sr., for initiating the construction of Metro Manila's first urban rail transit system. "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," he said. The president also thanked his predecessors for advancing the L1CE project. The project spans the administrations of Presidents Joseph Estrada, Gloria Arroyo, Benigno Aquino III and Rodrigo Duterte. "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," Marcos said. He vowed to fast-track the completion of other railway projects to bring prosperity to the country's transport system and economy. "Our journey towards a more seamless and modernized public transportation system does not end here. We are committed to building station after station, reaching as far and as fast as our people's needs dictate," he said. Marcos said the government should leverage the Public Service Act to remove the 40 percent cap on foreign investment in railways to attract foreign investments in the transport sector. The president said the Public-Private Partnership hybrid model on the L1CE project serves as a template for future investments. He said he wants to open the remaining three stations until Bacoor, Cavite, "at the soonest time possible." "I also wish to immediately complete the Unified Grand Central Station in Quezon City that will serve as the terminal where all four train lines will meet," he said. Marcos said he intends to complete the MRT-7 — which runs from Quezon City to Bulacan — that promises a 35-minute travel time and is expected to carry around 300,000 passengers daily. He said he was also excited to receive an invitation for the opening of the first phase of the North-South Commuter Railway. The president said some ongoing transport projects may not be completed within his term. "This is the nature of railway development and any large-scale development: this is not a short-term endeavor. It requires patience, persistence, and passion and commitment that extend beyond immediate timelines," he said. The president thanked the people behind the completion of the L1CE Phase 1 Project, particularly the Department of Transportation.
Tomas Kauer - Moderator 
PRESIDENT Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Friday inaugurated the Light Rail Transit Line 1 (LRT-1) Cavite Extension Project (L1CE) Phase 1, a mass transit system that aims to create "a smoother, more reliable mode of transport" in Metro Manila and Cavite.
The president joined the inaugural ride during the launch of the partial operation of the project in Parañaque City.
Like any other rider, Marcos claimed a ticket to be able to ride the train. He was joined by Transportation Secretary Jaime Bautista as well as other department secretaries and senators.
In his speech, Marcos said the additional stations would provide vital access points for commuters in Metro Manila, Cavite, and neighboring areas.
"With the Phase 1 completion, the LRT-1 will have the capacity to serve an additional 80,000 passengers every day, significantly enhancing our current ridership," he said.
LRT-1 has an average daily ridership of 320,000 commuters.
"Commuters will now see a great reduction in their travel time, allowing them to spend more time with their loved ones," Marcos said.
Interviewed after his train ride, Marcos said the government should build more rail projects for the convenience of commuters.
The president said the L1CE Phase 1 would start operations at 5 a.m. today, Nov. 16.
Phase 1 covers the first five stations: Redemptorist-Aseana, Manila International Airport Road, Parañaque Integrated Terminal Exchange, Ninoy Aquino Avenue, and Dr. Santos (formerly Sucat).
Marcos turned down the idea of offering free rides to commuters to celebrate the opening of the five new stations. "This is not operated by the government. We need to pay our debt first," he said.
The project, which is expected to serve an additional 80,000 passengers daily, will reduce travel time between Baclaran, Pasay City, and Bacoor, Cavite, from one hour and 10 minutes to just 25 minutes.
It is also expected to accommodate an additional 300,000 daily passengers in the first year of full operations and ease traffic build-ups in the cities of Parañaque, Las Piñas, and Bacoor, Cavite.
Marcos acknowledged his father, the late president Ferdinand Marcos Sr., for initiating the construction of Metro Manila's first urban rail transit system.
"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," he said.
The president also thanked his predecessors for advancing the L1CE project.
The project spans the administrations of Presidents Joseph Estrada, Gloria Arroyo, Benigno Aquino III and Rodrigo Duterte.
"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," Marcos said.
He vowed to fast-track the completion of other railway projects to bring prosperity to the country's transport system and economy.
"Our journey towards a more seamless and modernized public transportation system does not end here. We are committed to building station after station, reaching as far and as fast as our people's needs dictate," he said.
Marcos said the government should leverage the Public Service Act to remove the 40 percent cap on foreign investment in railways to attract foreign investments in the transport sector.
The president said the Public-Private Partnership hybrid model on the L1CE project serves as a template for future investments.
He said he wants to open the remaining three stations until Bacoor, Cavite, "at the soonest time possible."
"I also wish to immediately complete the Unified Grand Central Station in Quezon City that will serve as the terminal where all four train lines will meet," he said.
Marcos said he intends to complete the MRT-7 — which runs from Quezon City to Bulacan — that promises a 35-minute travel time and is expected to carry around 300,000 passengers daily.
He said he was also excited to receive an invitation for the opening of the first phase of the North-South Commuter Railway.
The president said some ongoing transport projects may not be completed within his term.
"This is the nature of railway development and any large-scale development: this is not a short-term endeavor. It requires patience, persistence, and passion and commitment that extend beyond immediate timelines," he said.
The president thanked the people behind the completion of the L1CE Phase 1 Project, particularly the Department of Transportation.
