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The Department of Transportation reported significant improvement in the acquisition of right-of-way for the Metro Manila Subway Project and North South Commuter Railway
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As of December 2025, DOTr has acquired 90.76% ROW and properties for the subway project
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It also cleared at least 56% of land for free and buildable ROW for the north segment of the NSCR
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The number of acquired properties for the NSCR north segment in 2025 also increased from just 38 parcels in February 2025 to 1,143 as of December 2025
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With its current progress, DOTr secretary Giovanni Lopez said DOTr can complete ROW acquisition for the NSCR north segment by mid-2026
The Department of Transportation (DOTr) reported significant improvement in the acquisition of right-of-way (ROW) for two major rail projects – the Metro Manila Subway Project (MMSP) and North South Commuter Railway (NSCR) – after implementing several initiatives in 2025.
DOTr in a statement said as of December 2025, it has acquired 90.76% ROW and properties for the MMSP and cleared at least 56% of land for free and buildable ROW for the NSCR’s north segment covering Malolos to Clark.
The number of acquired properties for the NSCR north segment also increased from just 38 parcels in February 2025 to 1,143 as of December.
Transport secretary Giovanni Lopez said 2025 proved to be a “banner year” for land acquisition.
He noted that in February 2025, acquisition of ROW for MMSP was only at 51% while settling only 2% of land acquisition for the NSCR north segment.
DOTr said it addressed last year MMSP’s major bottlenecks, including in Varilla Properties, and properties in White Plains, Corinthian Gardens and Metrowalk.
READ: Metro Manila subway inauguration eyed in 2028
DOTr also accelerated the right-of-way and site acquisition (ROWSA) process through several key initiatives, including the appointment of assistant secretary for ROWSA IC Calaguas, who oversees the acquisition of necessary lands for these projects.
The agency likewise augmented its ROWSA personnel from 200 to 900 to expedite the land acquisition process, while also holding capacity building and training programs to enhance workforce knowledge and skills.
Lopez said that with its current progress, the DOTr can complete ROW acquisition for the NSCR north segment by mid-2026.
READ: Awarding of North-South Commuter Railway O&M contract targeted by mid-2026
For the south segment of NSCR, four out of the 19 stations ROW are now cleared, namely EDSA, Cabuyao and Sta. Rosa in Laguna and Banlic depot.
The NSCR is a 147.26-kilometer (km) elevated railway line that will ease travel across three regions: Central Luzon, Metro Manila, and CALABARZON.
The first underground railway in the country, the 33-km MMSP, meanwhile, is a 17-station rail line that will cut travel time from Valenzuela City to Ninoy Aquino International Airport in Pasay City from one hour and 38 minutes to just 45 minutes, while servicing over half a million passengers daily.
READ: 3rd tunnel boring machine for Metro Manila Subway Project starts drilling
