LRT-1 Extension Delays: Marcos govt issues strongest warning yet to Villar family -- Take It Or leave It

Photo: DoTr: A view of the LRT Line 1 extension in Manila from Baclaran to Cavite.

Manila: Philippine Transportation Secretary Giovanni i "Banoy" Lopez has issued the government's strongest public ultimatum yet to the Villar Group, saying the proposal on the remaining right-of-way is now "take it or leave it."

The DOTr says the government will not renegotiate its latest offer because it wants to avoid further delays to a project it considers critical to Metro Manila's transport network.

Given the decades-old delay of the extension, officials now race to complete one of Metro Manila's most important rail projects before the end of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.'s term.

Lopez said the government has offered what he described as a final settlement involving land needed for the Las Piñas segment of the extension.

"It's a take it or leave it," Lopez said, warning that if the Villar Group rejects the offer, the government will proceed with construction toward the Zapote and Niog stations using other legal and engineering options.

The dispute centers on right-of-way issues that have stalled construction of the final phases of the P64.9-billion LRT-1 Cavite Extension.

What is the government's final proposal to the Villar Gropu

According to the DOTr:

• The government is asking the Villar Group to donate the required land free of liens or encumbrances for the station and alignment.

• If the group accepts, construction can immediately proceed on the remaining sections of the extension.

• If it rejects the proposal, the government says it will move ahead with an alternative plan that bypasses the disputed station area and continue construction toward the Zapote and Niog stations in Bacoor.

Why the dispute matters

The remaining phases of the LRT-1 Cavite Extension have been delayed largely because of unresolved right-of-way issues in Las Piñas. Government officials have argued that resolving these issues is essential to completing the final stations before the end of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.'s current term.

Earlier reports of a breakthrough

Interestingly, reports from late July indicated that the Villar family had agreed in principle to donate the needed land, which the DOTr described as a major breakthrough that would clear a key right-of-way obstacle.

However, the newer "take it or leave it" statement suggests that the government is still waiting for the arrangement to be finalised under its specific conditions, indicating that negotiations have not yet been fully concluded.

Political backdrop

The issue has become politically charged after allegations that the Villar family sought changes to the railway alignment because it passes near their properties.

Senators Mark Villar and Camille Villar have publicly denied interfering with the project or attempting to block its implementation. Meanwhile, reports have said the issue has also drawn scrutiny from the Office of the Ombudsman.

What to watch next

The key questions over the coming weeks are:

• Whether the Villar Group formally accepts the DOTr's final terms.

• Whether construction resumes on the remaining Las Piñas, Zapote, and Niog segments without further right-of-way disputes.

• Whether the government stays on schedule for completing the remaining extension before the end of the Marcos administration.