Villar bats for LRT line extension in Cavite

Nacionalista Party (NP) standard-bearer Manny Villar yesterday said his administration will restart the derailed Baclaran-Cavite Light Rail Transit (LRT) project as he vowed not to let politics delay its completion.

"I have always supported the LRT extension. Although I am from Las Piñas, I consider myself a Caviteño. Many of the projects I have pushed are in Cavite," Villar told a huge crowd in Barangay Julugan, Tanza, Cavite.

"Up to now, the LRT extension project remains in the drawing boards. "Dapat mabuo na 'yan, at pagtutulungan namin ni (NP gubernatorial bet and former Cavite vice-governor Jonvic Remulla) 'yan," he said.

The Cavite line of the LRT project was abruptly scrapped in January due to politics, although the Arroyo administration has been insisting the cancellation was due to lack of material time to groundbreak the project.

Reports said Malacañang's decision to scrap the project is President Arroyo's way of punishing local officials who have turned opposition.

The LRT extension line is an 11.7-kilometer connection from Baclaran to Bacoor, Cavite. The new line will have 10 passenger stations and will run through Las Piñas and Parañaque going to Cavite.

The LRT Line 1 - which stretches from Monument to Baclaran - carried 149.44 million passengers last year. The LRT extension line to Cavite will provide convenience for millions of Caviteños and at the same time open new business opportunities for both Caviteños and Metro Manilans.

Villar stressed that he is committed to the further development of Cavite. "Wala nang kandidatong pagkapangulo ang magmamahal sa Cavite na mahigit sa akin," he said.

Cavite has blossomed into a high-growth area in the last two decades, hosting industrial zones, leisure parks and resorts, commercial centers and residential zones.

This growth has been fueled partly by massive investments by property developers like Villar's companies.