As a result of the ruling the cost of the property rose to P580 million from the original cost P67 million.

A Department of Transportation (DoTr) official yesterday said the MRT-7 construction hit another wall—a legal one—that will delay by another year the targeted completion of the project.

In a radio interview, DoTr Assistant Secretary Giovanni Lopez said instead of the original target completion date of August 2019 they adjusted the target date to August 2020 instead.

Lopez attributed the delay to a court ruling on the 33.2-hectare property in San Jose del Monte, Bulacan indented as depot for the train system.

He cited a ruling of a Malolos court favoring a land owner who demanded a higher zonal value of the property. The owner wanted to peg the property’s value at P1,800 per square meter which is way higher than the original valuation of P200 per sqm. provided by the Bureau of Internal Revenue.

As a result of the ruling the cost of the property rose to P580 million from the original cost of P67 million.

“Because of the court’s ruling half of the budget is already spent. What would be the effect? The effect is that the cost of the project will increase. And if the project cost increases it will have to get again the approval of NEDA (National Economic Development Authority). That would cause another delay,” he said.

However, Lopez said the transport department will appeal the decision by filing a petition for certiorari this month.