LRTA says extension has Palace approval

The Light Rail Transit Authority (LRTA) clarified yesterday that its P44-billion joint venture project with a Canadian firm for the LRT I extension to Cavite has been approved by the concerned government agencies, including Malacañang.

Project manager Danilo Tolentino made the clarification in answer to questions raised in a privilege speech by Rep. Willie Villarama (Aksyon Demokratiko, Bulacan) the other day.

"We appreciate Congressman Villarama’s concern over the implementation of the project, which is expected to greatly ease traffic congestion in many areas and benefit residents of Las Piñas and Parañaque, Cavite, and other places," Tolentino said.

He said the project has gone through the process and LRTA and its foreign partner, SNC Lavalin of Canada, have obtained the necessary government approvals.

These approvals include those from the Office of the President, National Economic Development Authority, Department of Transportation and Communications, Department of Finance and the Government Corporate Monitoring and Coordinating Committee, he said.

As for the environmental compliance certificate for the project, Tolentino revealed that the ECC application is now pending with the environment department.