Duterte inaugurates LRT 2 East Extension

MANILA, Philippines — President Duterte yesterday inaugurated the Light Railway Transit 2 East Extension project that extends trips from Santolan in Marikina to Antipolo station and increases the daily ridership from 240,000 to 320,000 for the entire LRT-2 stretch from Recto, Manila to Antipolo City.

With the opening of two LRT 2 stations in Marikina and Antipolo, the usual three-hour travel time from Recto, Manila to Masinag, Antipolo will now be 40 minutes, Duterte said.

“Indeed, this project will improve mobility and ensure transportation connectivity, especially in the busy (eastern) part of Metro Manila. Now, our commuters can travel faster, be more productive at work and enjoy quality time with their loved ones, especially in the middle of this health crisis,” he said.

The LRT-2 project, which adds 3.79 kilometers to the original 13.8 kilometers, is set to begin operations on Monday, Light Rail Transit Authority administrator Reynaldo Berroya said.

With less than a year left into his presidency, Duterte credited Transportation Secretary Arthur Tugade and Public Works Secretary Mark Villar for their hard work and persistence to make sure that the administration’s infrastructure developments are realized amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

He also commended Villar for performing his job “exceedingly well,” in pursuing the massive infrastructure projects in the last five years.

“I am pleased to be part of today’s inauguration of the Light Rail Transit Line 2 East Extension Project – one of the hallmarks of this administration’s strong commitment to provide a better transportation system for all,” he said.

Duterte likewise praised the Department of Transportation and its private sector partners for the completion of the key project despite the difficulties posed by the pandemic.  “Your efforts and determination show that our government stops at nothing to carry on with its mandate to serve the people’s interests no matter the circumstances,” he said.

The President assured the public that “these developments will be responsive to the challenges of the 21st century and beyond so we can adapt and respond to the unexpected challenges of the times.”

“Let me assure you that we will fully reap the benefits of our Build, Build, Build Program as we continue to overcome the pandemic and gradually reopen our economy. I encourage everyone to help the government in creating an environment that will allow the safe reopening of economic activities,” he said.

Duterte noted that the massive vaccination of majority of the Filipinos would allow the country to get back on its feet and eventually reopen the economy.

“We can do this by getting vaccinated against COVID-19 and continuing to follow minimum health standards at work and in public places, especially in public transportation facilities like the LRT,” he said.

Free rides for 2 weeks

In his speech, Duterte said he “whispered to Tugade to put a moratorium on fees and give free rides to commuters for two to three weeks.”

Tugade replied that commuters could get two weeks of free rides to and from the new stations.

Duterte then asked officials to allow him to ride on the LRT because he has not experienced riding on trains.

“Walang train sa amin eh... Kaya gusto kong magsakay para mamasyal (We do not have trains in our place... I want to ride the train just to go around),” the President said.

However, Sen. Bong Go told Duterte the Presidential Security Group might not allow him to ride the train and Tugade told him the train has no driver.

The President called on the public to continue practicing health standards against COVID-19 at work and in public spaces, like the LRT-2, and get vaccinated so the country could reopen its economy soon.

Tugade said the new stations would benefit students that make up 40 percent of the rail line’s ridership, adding that there is a drop off point at the so-called University Belt in Manila where colleges and universities are found. – Alexis Romero, Ghio Ong