The Light Rail Transit Authority (LRTA)

Today in Philippine History (Philatelic Edition Series 2):

JULY 12, 1980

President Ferdinand E. Marcos issued Executive Order 603 which created the Light Rail Transit Authority (LRTA) in order to oversee the construction and operation of the Light Rail Transit project extending from Baclaran in Pasay City, to Monumento in Caloocan. 

First Lady and Metro Manila Governor Imelda Romualdez Marcos became its chairman. 

The Belgian government gave a soft and interest-free loan of P300 million payable in 30 years while a Belgian consortium gave an additional P700 million loan, and provided the cars, signalling, power control, telecommunications, training and technical assistance. 

The LRTA was organized as a government-owned and controlled corporation under the Department of Transportation (DOTr) as an attached agency. 

At present, mandate of the LRTA has expanded to encompass other light rail projects in Metro-Manila.

(Design, concept, stamps and research: Richard Allan B. Uy) All rights reserved

Photo credit: skyscrapercity.com