For so many years, Filipinos from the south of Metro Manila have wanted a railway system that would extend up to Cavite. That is why when the Duterte administration came in 2016, clamor for the construction of the LRT-1 Cavite Extension project grew louder.

The demand was real. You could see it in the news, hear it on the radio, and even read thousands of posts about it on social media.

“When will the project start? Is this a real thing or a joke?” Our Facebook page was flooded with the same types of questions every single day.

Our answer came on 07 May 2019, as the Department of Transportation (DoTr), together with the Light Rail Transit Authority (LRTA) and Light Rail Manila Corporation, formalized the official start of construction work for the LRT-1 Cavite Extension project.

Some claim the project started during the previous administration. But, sadly, little did the public know that this project has been stalled for almost two decades and three administrations, forgotten in the hands of time.

As much as we were very happy to announce the start of construction work last May, the DoTr had to go through a lot of challenges to make the necessary steps forward.

One of the first obstacles was the Right of Way Acquisition (RoWA).

I ask our commuters to remain patient. I understand it has not been easy for our commuters shuttling in and out of Metro Manila.

Come to think of it, when Secretary Arthur Tugade came in mid-2016, only a whopping 0 percent has already been certified “free and clear” by an independent consultant. It was a dismal percentage, given that the RoWA got its budget from Congress in 2007.

Now, fortunately, that disappointing statistic has been erased, as piling works for the project officially started over the weekend. The embedding of supporting piers that will serve as the foundation for elevated railway structures commenced last Sunday.

The DoTr, LRTA and its private partners are now working at an accelerated pace to deliver partial operability (PO) of the extension line by 2021. The PO covers Phase 1 of the project, which includes the Redemptorist, MIA, Asiaworld, Ninoy Aquino, and Dr. Santos stations.

And since the Duterte administration does listen to the public, yes, the LRT-1’s upcoming Asiaworld Station will be right beside the Parañaque Integrated Terminal Exchange, and ready for connection to the Metro Manila Subway, eventually forming the Parañaque Common Station.

Exciting times are underway as we are pulling out all the stops to make the LRT-1 Cavite Extension a reality. Not only are we constructing eight new stations, but also, we are adding a new depot in Zapote to support the rail extension, along with the expansion of the current depot in Baclaran.

We’re also having new train cars — 120 Light Rail Vehicles to be exact — on track for delivery starting next year up to 2022.

Further, we signed a partnership agreement with utility companies to provide us assistance in utility relocations, so that we can deliver all our railway projects faster than ever.

Looking at the grueling timeline of the LRT-1 Cavite Extension project, I ask our commuters to remain patient. I understand it has not been easy for our commuters shuttling in and out of Metro Manila. But, we are doing what we can to deliver this rail extension at the soonest time possible.

With everything that has happened, it feels so surreal to me that after so many delays, three strong-willed people have had enough and took the challenge to finally deliver this promise to the people of Cavite.

Under the guidance of President Rodrigo Roa Duterte, the determination of Secretary Tugade, and the dedication of LRTA administrator Reynaldo Berroya, after 19 years, the LRT-1 Cavite Extension project is finally here.