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Advocates Philippines
PBBM Establishes Committee To Expedite Land Acquisition For National Railway Projects
Photo credit: DOTr
In a bid to accelerate the progress of crucial national railway projects across the country, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has instituted an Inter-Agency Committee for Right-of-Way (ROW) Activities. The move, outlined in Administrative Order No. 19 dated March 25, aims to streamline the often complex process of land acquisition necessary for the successful implementation of railway infrastructure.
President Marcos emphasized the importance of efficiency and collaboration in the development of railway projects, stating, “The Inter-Agency Committee for ROW Activities for National Railway Projects (Committee) is hereby created to study and devise an efficient and collaborative mechanism to streamline the process of land acquisition necessary for the implementation of all railway projects.”
The committee's mandate includes coordinating the execution of railway policies and projects, formulating and endorsing project-specific policies and programs, and identifying appropriate services or programs related to land acquisition and other ROW activities such as livelihood support, income restoration, and resettlement efforts.
Furthermore, the committee will assess existing policies, agreements, contracts, and other arrangements among government agencies, consolidate and allocate agency resources for streamlined budgeting, address issues and grievances, and establish technical working groups to ensure the effective implementation of the order.
Heading the committee is the Secretary of the Department of Transportation (DOTr), with the head of the Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development serving as co-chair. Other key members include representatives from the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG), Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), Department of Finance (DOF), Department of Budget and Management (DBM), Department of Justice (DOJ), and Office of the Solicitor General (OSG).
The Philippine National Railway (PNR) is designated as the Secretariat of the Committee and will provide administrative and technical support.
This initiative aligns with Republic Act No. 10752, or the "Right-of-Way (ROW) Act," which empowers the government to acquire real property needed for national government infrastructure projects through various means such as donation, negotiated sale, or expropriation.
Under the administration’s Philippine Development Plan 2023-2028 and its 8-Point Socioeconomic Agenda, enhancing the transportation sector is a priority. Projects such as the Metro Manila Subway Project, North-South Commuter Railway System, Mindanao Railway Project, and PNR South Long Haul are poised to significantly improve mobility, connectivity, and economic growth across the nation.
President Marcos emphasized the importance of efficiency and collaboration in the development of railway projects, stating, “The Inter-Agency Committee for ROW Activities for National Railway Projects (Committee) is hereby created to study and devise an efficient and collaborative mechanism to streamline the process of land acquisition necessary for the implementation of all railway projects.”
The committee's mandate includes coordinating the execution of railway policies and projects, formulating and endorsing project-specific policies and programs, and identifying appropriate services or programs related to land acquisition and other ROW activities such as livelihood support, income restoration, and resettlement efforts.
Furthermore, the committee will assess existing policies, agreements, contracts, and other arrangements among government agencies, consolidate and allocate agency resources for streamlined budgeting, address issues and grievances, and establish technical working groups to ensure the effective implementation of the order.
Heading the committee is the Secretary of the Department of Transportation (DOTr), with the head of the Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development serving as co-chair. Other key members include representatives from the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG), Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), Department of Finance (DOF), Department of Budget and Management (DBM), Department of Justice (DOJ), and Office of the Solicitor General (OSG).
The Philippine National Railway (PNR) is designated as the Secretariat of the Committee and will provide administrative and technical support.
This initiative aligns with Republic Act No. 10752, or the "Right-of-Way (ROW) Act," which empowers the government to acquire real property needed for national government infrastructure projects through various means such as donation, negotiated sale, or expropriation.
Under the administration’s Philippine Development Plan 2023-2028 and its 8-Point Socioeconomic Agenda, enhancing the transportation sector is a priority. Projects such as the Metro Manila Subway Project, North-South Commuter Railway System, Mindanao Railway Project, and PNR South Long Haul are poised to significantly improve mobility, connectivity, and economic growth across the nation.
Apr 2, 2024
