Richest Filipino Manuel B. Villar Jr. is seeking to acquire the right to develop and extend the Light Rail Transit by seven stations all the way to Silang from Bacoor, Cavite as he will not have a hard time getting the right of way for the railway.

In an informal chat with media, Villar said this plan could be done by its Prime Asset Ventures Inc. (PAVI). At present, the current plans for the 11-kilometer LRT-1 Extension being developed by Light Rail Manila Corporation will end at Niog station in Bacoor, Cavite.

He noted that the partnership between Metro Pacific Investments Corporation and Ayala Corporation may find it difficult to extend it further into Cavite because of right of way issues.

However, Villar pointed out that, if his company is to develop the further extension of the railway, they will be able to acquire the right of way faster as it will traverse land that he already owns.

He disclosed that negotiations are ongoing for PAVI to take over the development of the extension of the LRT into Cavite and the result could be a joint venture with LRMC or a new partner of PAVI.

Villar said they initially plan to extend it by seven stations from Niog to Government’s Drive. In between will be stations in Nomo and Bacoor Government Centre and it will pass through Molino.

“What I really want is to extend its all the way to Silang, closer to Tagaytay, but this will come later as Ayala and Manny (MPIC) is not keen about that. They are supposed to extend all the way to Zapote but they might stop at Sucat,” he said.

Villars noted that it will be expensive for LRMC to continue and it will take a long time to get the right of way since they do not own land.

“If they give it up and we take over, we will extend it. But the alignment will change so we can use land we already own to reduce the need for right of way acquisition,” he said.

Villar also said that he will be getting a partner for the project as many are interested in pursuing the project and right of way acquisition has been the major obstacle.

“I can get the right of way since I own the land where the railway will traverse. Real estate it really important,” he said adding that he intends to develop the areas around that stations and build retail outlets.

Thus, Villar noted that the extension project will be more viable if PAVI is involved and everyone will benefit since the current LRT will get even more passengers if it is extended or connected to the Cavite extension.

He said the proposal has been made by PAVI this year and they are now quite serious about pursuing the project at no cost to the government. “As long as they give us more leeway as far as the fare is concerned,” Villar said.