‘Fast-track extension of LRT to Cavite’

Cavite Gov. Ireneo Maliksi decried anew what he called the government’s snail-paced action in implementing the P800-million Light Rail Transit (LRT) extension project, effectively delaying the benefits of a mass transport system to the southwestern corridor of Metro Manila.

"I see no reason for concerned agencies to sit on this project lest they intend to deny the booming province of Cavite of the much-needed infrastructure and benefits of a mass transport system," he said.

While expressing gratitude for President Arroyo’s support for development projects in his province, Maliksi said some agencies "seem to be dilly-dallying" on some technical and legal issues.

The 12-kilometer LRT extension, which will span from Baclaran in Parañaque to Bacoor town, is a joint venture of the Light Rail Transit Authority (LRTA) and the Canadian firm SN Lavalin.

The National Economic Development Authority-Inter Agency Cabinet Committee approved the agreement on the joint venture last January.

Malacañang is awaiting the Department of Justice’s legal opinion on the authority the Department of Finance is seeking to reconfirm the validity of the LRTA-SN Lavalin joint venture agreement.

The DOJ passed judgment on the agreement in an opinion in 1994, and the Office of Government Corporate Counsel also rendered favorable opinions in 1993 and 2002.

Under the agreement, SN Lavalin will undertake and secure financing for the civil and electro-mechanical works, while the LRTA will oversee the bidding and review of technical specifications and SN Lavalin’s performance in the various phases of the project.