MANILA - Transportation Secretary Jaime Bautista said on Monday the agency would study the proposed realignment of the Metro Rail Transit Line 7 (MRT-7) project, particularly in San Jose Del Monte, Bulacan.

Bautista also said rerouting the MRT-7 may cause delays in the full operation of the mass transit project. 

“Pinag-aaralan nating mabuti kung irerealign. Pero kasi meron nang approved alignment eh, so it will cause another siguro study, baka ma-delay pa kung ire-realign natin eh,” Bautista said on the sidelines of the Philippine Economic Briefing in Pasay City.

(We are carefully studying if we need to realign. But as there is already an approved alignment, it may need another study and the project may be delayed if we realign it.)

Last week, San Jose Del Monte Bulacan Mayor Arthur Robes said in a statement that the city government proposed to the DOTr the realignment of MRT-7.

Robes said the project had current and future traffic implications, and would affect the quality of living, as well as disrupt the delivery of essential services, among others.

The LGU said the possible delay in the completion of the MRT-7 was "a small price local stakeholders are ready to accept in order to guarantee public convenience and better quality of life in the long run."

"We have forwarded options where this essential project can push through while also ensuring that the general welfare of the people of San Jose del Monte is met,” said Robes.

Robes added that the LGU is not part of the negotiations in terms of other right-of-way issues.

The local executive said Bautista earlier disclosed that delays could push the operations of the project to 2028 if the proponent, San Miguel Corp, decides to push through with the realignment.

But Bautista said there's no decision yet on the proposed realignment. He also said the other parts of the mass transit project, especially the North Avenue to Lagro segments, were "on track."

“Ang made-delay kung ililipat natin yung station sa San Jose del Monte which is wala pa namang decision don,” Bautista said. 

(What will be delayed is the San Jose del Monte station, which has yet to be decided.)

The MRT-7 project is a 22-km railway with 14 stations which will run from North Avenue in Quezon City to San Jose Del Monte City in Bulacan. It is expected to cater to approximately 800,000 passengers daily.

- With reports from Jessica Fenol, ABS-CBN News