Light Rail Manila Corp. (LRMC) on Monday announced key leadership changes in preparation for the opening of LRT Line 1 Cavite extension by the fourth quarter of 2024.
LRMC appointed Jose Ma. K. Lim as president and chief executive of the company on an interim basis effective this month, replacing Juan Alfonso. Lim also serves as LRMC executive committee chairman and Metro Pacific Investments Corp. director.
Alfonso, meanwhile, will step up to a leadership position in Metro Pacific Light Rail Corp. (MPLRC).
MPLRC is one of LRMC’s shareholders owned by Metro Pacific Investments Corp. (MPIC) and Sumitomo Corp.
The company expressed gratitude for the dedication and hard work of Alfonso who served as president and chief executive in the past six years.
Alfonso led the LRMC team in rehabilitating the existing LRT-1 system, achieving significant progress for the LRT-1 Cavite Extension Project – Phase 1 despite the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic, and building LRMC into an organization focused on service excellence.
LRMC also appointed Enrico Benipayo as general manager effective April 2024.
Benipayo, who previously served as LRMC’s former chief operating officer, will lead the company’s day-to-day activities as the new general manager.
He has a full breadth of knowledge in the rail transport sector having accumulated over 35 years of professional experience in the fields of engineering, procurement, and construction (EPC), maintenance and O&M consultancy.
LRMC earlier announced that the first phase of LRT Line 1 Cavite Extension project might start operations by the fourth quarter of 2024.
Phase 1 covers 7 kilometers of the 11-km. LRT-1 Cavite Extension, including the Redemptorist Station, MIA Station, Asiaworld Station, Ninoy Aquino Station and Dr. Santos Station.
The remaining stations between Las Piñas and Niog are scheduled to become fully operational by 2027.
The 11.7-kilometer, 8-station LRT-1 Cavite Extension Project will connect Baclaran in Parañaque City to Bacoor, Cavite.