The Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) has highlighted substantial advancements in the right-of-way and property acquisition process for the northern segment of the expansive 147-kilometer North-South Commuter Railway (NSCR) System. According to recent updates, the Department of Transportation (DOTr) aims to finalize this critical phase by June 2026, following directives from President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to expedite land procurement for major transport initiatives.
Accelerated Efforts Under Presidential Mandate
Transportation Secretary Banoy Lopez has expressed strong confidence in the DOTr's Right-of-Way and Site Acquisition (ROWSA) office, projecting that the acquisition for the NSCR north segment will be completed within the targeted timeframe. "Ang utos ng Pangulong Marcos sa atin ay bilisan ang pagtapos ng proyekto gaya ng NSCR. Kaya naman ang DOTr ay doble trabaho sa pag-acquire ng right-of-way para tuloy-tuloy at mapabilis ang konstruksyon ng proyekto para mapakinabangan na agad ng mga komyuter," Secretary Lopez emphasized, underscoring the administration's commitment to fast-tracking the project for public benefit.
JICA's Support and Collaboration
During a joint site visit on Thursday, February 5, JICA Senior Deputy Director Murakami Kota voiced support for the DOTr's accelerated efforts. "We understand the so much effort by the DOTr, and we appreciate Acting Secretary Lopez' initiatives. The DOTr said they target to complete land acquisition especially the north side of the NSCR within 2026 and I think it's key and we'll give the cooperation to complete all the land acquisition," he stated, reinforcing the collaborative spirit between the agencies.
Current Progress and Statistics
Transportation Assistant Secretary for ROWSA, IC Calaguas, provided detailed figures on the acquisition status. She reported that the right-of-way and site acquisition for the NSCR north segment has reached 56 percent completion, with 1,143 out of 2,034 lots already secured. "Ito pong right-of-way and site acquisition ng North-South Commuter Railway ay pinapamadali po ni Secretary Banoy Lopez. At present, nasa 56% po ang right-of-way and site acquisition natin at dahil po sa utos ng ating Pangulong Marcos, pinapatapos po ito ni Secretary Banoy by June 2026," Asec. Calaguas explained, highlighting the progress driven by leadership directives.
Site Inspections and Resettlement Initiatives
The DOTr-JICA team conducted thorough inspections of key project areas, including:
- The N03 alignment and N02 site office
- The Extradosed Bridge
- Civil works at Angeles and San Fernando stations in Pampanga
- Relocation sites for project-affected persons (PAPs)
To date, the DOTr has compensated 1,439 out of 2,448 project-affected informal settler families (ISFs). The agency is actively monitoring the construction progress of all resettlement sites in Angeles City, San Fernando City in Pampanga, and Calumpit, Bulacan, in partnership with the Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development (DHSUD) and the National Housing Authority (NHA).
Implications for Philippine Infrastructure
This accelerated progress in right-of-way acquisition is pivotal for the timely completion of the NSCR, a flagship project expected to enhance commuter connectivity and reduce traffic congestion in the region. The collaborative efforts between DOTr and JICA, backed by presidential support, demonstrate a strong commitment to advancing the Philippines' transport infrastructure and improving the quality of life for its citizens.
