The Light Rail Manila Corp. (LRMC) is open to completing the construction of the long-delayed Unified Grand Central Station (Common Station), which will finally connect Manila’s three main rail systems, the Department of Transportation (DOTr) said.
Acting DOTr Secretary Giovanni Lopez said that the agency asked LRMC to take over the project after canceling the contract of the previous builder due to excessive delays.
“We asked them [LRMC]. We believe in their expertise. I don’t want to preempt, but the initial meeting with [then] Secretary [Vince] Dizon before, they are open,” Lopez said in a recent interview.
The Common Station has been stalled since 2009, but former DOTr Secretary Arthur Tugade settled a dispute over its location, leading to a groundbreaking ceremony in September 2017. The project has an estimated cost of P2.8 billion.
The DOTr canceled the contract of the BFC-FDSC Consortium, a company founded by the late Marikina Mayor Bayani Fernando, citing excessive construction delays. The issuance of the notice of termination followed President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s directives to speed up and finally complete the project.
Lopez mandated that the Common Station be finished by 2028 to coincide with the partial operations of the MRT Line 7. Once operational, the 13,700-square-meter concourse area is expected to serve about 500,000 passengers daily, seamlessly interconnecting the rail lines of LRT-1, MRT-3, MRT-7 and the much-awaited Metro Manila Subway.
LRMC acknowledged recent observations made by Lopez regarding the LRT-1 Baclaran Station, calling the input “vital” to the line’s ongoing enhancement.
LRMC confirmed that comprehensive station upgrades are already underway as a priority component of its long-term modernization plan for the entire LRT-1 system.
“We assure the riding public and Acting Secretary Lopez that we will accelerate the completion of these ongoing works and will fully comply with the Secretary’s mandate to address any noted areas requiring immediate attention,” the company said.
LRMC said it is working hand-in-hand with its grantors, the Light Rail Transit Authority (LRTA) and the DOTr, to ensure the LRT-1 system meets the highest standards.
“Our mission remains unwavering: to provide a safe, convenient, and reliable transportation experience for everyone who depends on LRT-1,” LRMC said.
