Light Rail Manila Corp. (LRMC), the private operator of the Light Rail Transit (LRT) line 1, yesterday renamed Roosevelt Station in Quezon City after the late actor and National Artist for Film Fernando Poe Jr. (FPJ).
The change in station name is in accordance with Republic Act 11608 renaming Roosevelt Avenue as Fernando Poe Jr. Avenue, where the LRT-1 station traverses along the northern end of the avenue.
The Light Rail Transit Authority also issued Resolution No. 002-2023 directing LRMC to implement the renaming of the station, which was formalized in a ceremony held at the station on August 20, the birthday of the late national artist.
“In renaming Roosevelt Station to Fernando Poe Jr. Station, we hope that Filipinos will always remember and will be inspired by how FPJ lived with values of determination, courage, and hope. LRMC shares these values and supports the promotion of local arts and culture,” said Juan Alfonso, LRMC president and chief executive officer.
LRT-1, which stretches from Baclaran Station to now Fernando Poe Jr. Station, is known to be the heritage line as it traverses many cultural and historical hotspots in Metro Manila, including tourist sites, museums, galleries and must-try restaurants and food hubs near the stations.
The renaming to Fernando Poe Jr. also gives honor to the national artist and the luminary of the Philippine cinema industry, having been a director, producer and screenwriter.
“The strong partnership between the public and private sector is an important element in improving our transport sector. Since managing the LRT-1, the operation and maintenance of LRMC made significant strive in enhancing the reliability and efficiency of our transit system. I’m embarking on system upgrade and building the Cavite extension project in phases,” Alfonso added.
Meanwhile, LRMC yesterday implemented a half-day operation to give way for the upgrade of LRT-1’s signaling system.
This includes the installation of a new software baseline on the currently operating signaling system to be fully compatible with the LRT-1 Cavite extension software baseline and facilitate the needed testing and commissioning of the system.
Once upgraded, this is expected to lead to the full cutover for the extended signaling system from the existing LRT-1 Roosevelt Station in Quezon City to Dr. Santos Station in Parañaque City.
As of July, the LRT-1 Cavite extension project’s overall completion rate for Phase 1 is at 90 percent. – Myla Iglesias
