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The Department of Transportation and the Office of the Solicitor General recently concluded a mass drafting of expropriation pleadings to fast-track right-of-way acquisitions for flagship rail projects
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A recent three-day write workshop concluded with 345 finalized expropriation cases — the largest single batch processed in the history of the department
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Acting transportation secretary Giovanni Lopez said the mass drafting of expropriation pleadings will significantly expedite land acquisition along the Clark–Malolos corridor for the North South Commuter Railway, as well as the critical sites for the Metro Manila Subway Project
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ROW acquisition for the NSCR North section and MMSP are already at 65.5% and 90.80%, respectively
The Department of Transportation (DOTr) and the Office of the Solicitor General (OSG) recently concluded a mass drafting of expropriation pleadings to fast-track right-of-way (ROW) acquisitions for flagship rail projects.
DOTr and OSG recently concluded a three-day write workshop, producing 345 finalized expropriation cases — the largest single batch processed in the history of the department.
Securing ROW has been one of the major hurdles in transport project implementation, with land acquisition delays frequently disrupting construction schedules and timelines, DOTr said in a statement.
Acting transportation secretary Giovanni Lopez said the mass drafting of expropriation pleadings will significantly expedite land acquisition along the Clark–Malolos corridor for the North South Commuter Railway (NSCR), as well as the critical sites for the Metro Manila Subway Project (MMSP).
Since March 2025, DOTr has recorded substantial progress in securing ROW for the NSCR North section, with acquisition rising sharply from 7.59% in 2025 to 65.5% to date, all in just one year.
READ: DOTr gains ground on ROW for 2 rail projects
Lopez said in Filipino that the partnership with OSG further speeds up the ROW acquisition process for big-ticket projects, which ulitimately benefit commuters.
With 191 attendees, the write workshop is considered to be the largest in DOTr history, setting a new benchmark for departmental participation and project scope.
Transportation assistant secretary for right-of-way and site acquisition IC Calaguas emphasized the significance of the legal pleadings finalized during the session, which cover land parcels essential to the advancement of the country’s flagship rail projects.
“These are all crucial right-of-way parcels for NSCR and MMSP. To the men and women of OSG, please continue to be our partner in attaining 100 percent right-of-way for our rail projects,” Calaguas said.
For informal settler families, 1,537 out of 2,647 affected households, or 58.51%, have already received compensation.
The NSCR North section, covering the Malolos–Clark segment, is targeted to be operational by 2028, while the southern section is expected to be completed by 2031.
For the MMSP, cleared ROW has surged from 51% to 90.80% to date. The project is expected to be completed by 2032.
