NATIONAL
Advocates Philippines
ROW Crucial To Rail Projects: Villar
Photo credit: LRMC
Senate Deputy Majority Floor Leader and former Public Works and Highways Secretary Mark Villar recently lauded the move by President Bongbong Marcos Jr. to create an inter-agency committee to speed up the acquisition of rights-of-way (ROW), saying this will be crucial to managing the cost of vital rail transportation infrastructure project and in ensuring that timelines are met.
In his column in a national newspaper, Villar cited the issuance by Marcos of Administrative Order (AO) 19 which authorized the said committee to “study and devise an efficient and collaborative mechanism to streamline the process of land acquisition necessary for railway projects implementation”.
These projects include the North South Commuter Railway (NSCR), the Metro Manila Subway Project (MMSP), and the planned Mindanao Railway Project (MRP).
The committee will be co-chaired by Transportation Secretary Jaime Bautista and Housing and Urban Development Secretary Jose Rizalino Acuzar. They are joined by the secretaries of environment and natural resources, budget and management, social welfare and development, finance, justice and the office of the Solicitor General. The Philippine National Railways (PNR) has been named secretariat of the committee.
According to Villar, the acquisition of ROW is “pivotal” to the success of infrastructure projects. “ROW or the permission to gain access or acquire land or property enables the implementation of vital infrastructure projects,” he explained. “Without ROW, a project cannot move forward and its intended objectives cannot be achieved,” Villar added.
“Legal property disputes can lead to delays and increased expenses potentially straining government budgets and prolonging project timelines,” Villar pointed out. He cited the 35.7-kilometer Central Luzon Link Expressway (CLLex) which, he said, faced delays because of ROW problems. He said this was the similar challenge which “hindered the Metro Manila Subway Project” which only had some 55 percent of the necessary ROW as of February of this year.
Villar also underscored the role of local governments in the resolution of ROW concerns within their respective jurisdictions. He said LGUs should actively engage in discussions to resolve any community-level issue.
Meanwhile, the local government of Manila recently directed several barangay officials of the city to cooperate with government line agencies involved in preparatory activities for the NSCR.
Following directions given by Manila Mayor Honey Lacuna, officials of barangays 442, 443, 444 and 450 backed local community dialogues organized by the Department of Transportation (DOTr) and the Social Housing Finance Corporation (SHFC).
During the dialogue, DOTr officials explained the NSCR project to informal settler families while representative of SHFC presented the government’s relocation plan for those who will be affected by the ROW clearing required by the said project.
The section of the PNR line in Manila has recently been closed to give way to construction activities for the NSCR.
In his column in a national newspaper, Villar cited the issuance by Marcos of Administrative Order (AO) 19 which authorized the said committee to “study and devise an efficient and collaborative mechanism to streamline the process of land acquisition necessary for railway projects implementation”.
These projects include the North South Commuter Railway (NSCR), the Metro Manila Subway Project (MMSP), and the planned Mindanao Railway Project (MRP).
The committee will be co-chaired by Transportation Secretary Jaime Bautista and Housing and Urban Development Secretary Jose Rizalino Acuzar. They are joined by the secretaries of environment and natural resources, budget and management, social welfare and development, finance, justice and the office of the Solicitor General. The Philippine National Railways (PNR) has been named secretariat of the committee.
According to Villar, the acquisition of ROW is “pivotal” to the success of infrastructure projects. “ROW or the permission to gain access or acquire land or property enables the implementation of vital infrastructure projects,” he explained. “Without ROW, a project cannot move forward and its intended objectives cannot be achieved,” Villar added.
“Legal property disputes can lead to delays and increased expenses potentially straining government budgets and prolonging project timelines,” Villar pointed out. He cited the 35.7-kilometer Central Luzon Link Expressway (CLLex) which, he said, faced delays because of ROW problems. He said this was the similar challenge which “hindered the Metro Manila Subway Project” which only had some 55 percent of the necessary ROW as of February of this year.
Villar also underscored the role of local governments in the resolution of ROW concerns within their respective jurisdictions. He said LGUs should actively engage in discussions to resolve any community-level issue.
Meanwhile, the local government of Manila recently directed several barangay officials of the city to cooperate with government line agencies involved in preparatory activities for the NSCR.
Following directions given by Manila Mayor Honey Lacuna, officials of barangays 442, 443, 444 and 450 backed local community dialogues organized by the Department of Transportation (DOTr) and the Social Housing Finance Corporation (SHFC).
During the dialogue, DOTr officials explained the NSCR project to informal settler families while representative of SHFC presented the government’s relocation plan for those who will be affected by the ROW clearing required by the said project.
The section of the PNR line in Manila has recently been closed to give way to construction activities for the NSCR.
Apr 18, 2024
