Scheme drawn to address concerns on LRT extension

Light Rail Transit Authority Administrator Teddy Cruz Jr. said yesterday the LRTA has come up with measures to address the concerns of business owners, ambulant vendors and churchgoers at the Redemptorist church in Baclaran who will be affected by the construction of the LRT south extension project.

For his part, Transportation and Communications Secretary Pantaleon Alvarez said construction along Redemptorist Road will be done in the shortest period of time in consideration of the affected groups, including Baclaran church devotees. He said the Redemptorist route is the most economically viable alignment based on the route alignment study conducted by LRTAand its joint venture partner, SNC-Lavalin. He said the proposed railway system will interconnect the existing LRT to form a continuous line. "We will be using technology compatible to the existing LRT to permit through running of trains," Alvarez said.

Cruz said, "Baclaran is a major retail and religious activity area, with the Redemptorist church an important pilgrimage location, specially on Wednesdays. We will see to it that construction will not unduly disrupt activities in the area."

Cruz said they have already conducted public hearings to listen to various concerns and get the views of stakeholders along Redemptorist Road, which will be a major construction area since 10 foundations and T-column structures will be constructed there. The project will extend the existing LRT system from the Baclaran station to Parañaque City, Las Piñas City and Bacoor, Cavite.

Cruz added, ambulant vendors along Redemptorist Road will be allowed to temporarily use the service road on Roxas Blvd. to sell their products. The temporary site is accessible to both vendors and the public. With regard to business and establishment owners, Cruz said they will adopt mitigating measures in order not to unnecessarily disrupt their business. These measures are: Access to businesses will be maintained during construction, and any temporary road closure will occur after business hours; the streetscape and market atmosphere along Redemptorist Road will be enhanced by converting the street into a "pedestrian mall" and by providing a covered walkway, and the guideway will be located on the south side of Redemptorist away from the commercial buildings.

Business owners are concerned that the construction will depress the market atmosphere in the area, resulting in loss of customers and business. "Loss of customers and business will not happen because of the street enhancement measures that we will institute," he said.