Aiming to avoid delays in the implementation of public works projects, the House of Representatives on Monday, Feb. 6, passed on the third and final reading a bill expediting the acquisition of right of way (ROW) for various national government infrastructure projects that would bring development in the countryside.

Voting 239, lawmakers approved House Bill (HB) No. 6571, or the “An Act Providing Additional Guidelines in the Acquisition of Right-Of-Way, Site, or Location for National Government Infrastructure Projects”, which is a consolidation of five proposed measures primarily aimed at amending Republic Act (RA) No. 10752, or the Right-of-Way Law of 2016.

House Speaker Martin Romualdez said the bill would remove the hindrances to the construction of public works projects like highways, expressways, railways, ports, and other mass transportation systems.

“The timely implementation of these infrastructures will benefit our people, as it will definitely speed up mobility and interconnectivity, which in turn will result in lower transportation costs,” he explained in a statement.

Romualdez lamented that acquisition of right of way in private properties has often hampered and delayed the building of roads, bridges, expressways, railways, airports, and similar public facilities.

“Let us put an end to this gridlock. Private ownership should give way to public interest and welfare,” the lawmaker added.

Deputy Speaker and Pampanga 3rd district Rep. Aurelio Gonzales Jr., one of the authors of HB 6571, stressed that delay in the timely completion of construction projects “does not only hamper national growth and development but exposes the government to unnecessary expenses that can be avoided.”

“Construction laws need to be updated for the prompt completion of infrastructures and their timely use and enjoyment by our people,” he added.

READ: House bills to amend Right-of-Way Act tackled

The consolidated bill was endorsed by the House Committee on Public Works and Highways chaired by Surigao del Sur 1st District Rep. Romeo Momo, a former undersecretary of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH).

In his sponsorship speech for the measure last week, the lawmaker underscored the importance of the bill in ensuring the unhampered fulfillment of the government’s infrastructure projects.

“House Bill 6571 aims to address these remaining Right-of-Way issues and make the acquisition of Right-of-Way quicker, simpler, and fairer to both property owners and the government”, he said.

“Under House Bill 6571, the Right-of-Way Action Plan should include an accurate census of affected persons, accurate technical surveys of properties, realistic estimates of Right-of-Way costs, including fair market prices to be paid for the lands, crops and trees, and current replacement costs to be paid for the affected houses and structures, as well as resettlement plans. All of these must be done via thorough consultations by the government with property owners and other persons affected,” Momo explained.

The proposed law mandates implementing agencies to explore all available modes of resolving ROW issues.

If it becomes law, the agencies could offer landowners affected by right of way acquisition the current market value or zonal value of the lands as determined by the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR).

The bill also addressed the issues of squatting as it would mandate the Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development (DHSUD), in coordination with local government units and implementing agencies concerned, to establish and develop resettlement sites for informal settlers and provide basic services and community facilities.