Japanese Ambassador to the Philippines Koshikawa Kazuhiko was ecstatic about the completion of the civil works for the Baclaran Depot of the Light Rail Transit-1 (LRT-1) Cavite Extension, saying this will benefit many people in the province and surrounding areas.
(Photo from the Embassy of Japan in the Philippines 在フィリピン日本国大使館)
Koshikawa made the statement during the ceremony that marked the completion of civil works, buildings, and facilities of the Baclaran Expansion Depot in Pasay City on February 23.
In his speech, Ambassador Koshikawa expressed optimism about the project's development.
"I am upbeat that this LRT-1 extension project will make a big difference in the lives of many Filipinos in Cavite and surrounding areas," he said.
"Soon, they will be able to embark on a more comfortable journey once the brand-new 4th generation train sets, also funded by Japan, hit the tracks of the LRT-1 extension," he added.
According to Koshikawa, the recent milestone was just "one of the many others that resulted from our (Japan's) continued commitment." He likewise ensured that Japan has pledged its utmost support to the Philippines in its bid to advance its infrastructure.
In a statement, the Japanese Embassy in the Philippines said the Government of Japan formally reaffirmed the same commitment to the Philippines during the recently held Japan-Philippines High-Level Joint Committee Meeting last week.
The expansion of the depot was completed with the assistance of the Japanese Government through the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA).
The LRT-1 Cavite Extension Project is expected to cut travel time between Baclaran and Bacoor to only 25 minutes, from the current one-hour drive.
Aside from convenience, the Japanese Embassy in the Philippines said the shortened travel time can also translate to enhanced productivity for commuters who travel daily to Metro Manila for work.