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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider Government expropriation power eyed amid right-of-way issues for Metro Manila subway project

Government expropriation power eyed amid right-of-way issues for Metro Manila subway project

Published Mar 7, 2024 07:54 am

Metro Manila subway.jpg

Department of Transportation (DOTr) lSecretary Jaime Baustista inspects on Thursday, March 7, 2024, the current status of the Metro Manila Subway Project CP101 North Avenue Station which is scheduled to begin excavation this month using a Tunnel Boring Machine (TBM). The Metro Manila Subway Project, the first in the country, is a government initiative spanning 33 kilometers with 17 stations. (Mark Balmores)

The Department of Transportation (DOTr) is eyeing the use of the government’s expropriation power amid concerns of delay of the completion of the Metro Manila Subway Project (MMSP) due to right-of-way issues.

But DOTr Undersecretary for Rails Jeremy Regino vowed that expropriating properties would be the last resort for the government to resolve contentious right-of-way issues not only on the MMSP but also for other projects.

“Expropriation of property would be the government’s last recourse should negotiations with affected property owners face an impasse. We have now shortened the negotiation process. If there will be no agreement, we will have to file expropriation proceedings but without prejudice to continue with the negotiations,” said Regino.

“Once the government is granted a writ of possession, it does not bar the continuation and conclusion of a successful negotiation. We are doing our best to convince property owners, all things considered, that their concerns are already factored in,” he added.

Regino was with DOTr Secretary Jaime J. Bautista during the inspection of the MMSP’s Tunnel Boring Machine initial drive at the railway system’s North Avenue Station.

In the interview, Regino assured that the Metro Manila Subway’s completion is still well within the DOTr’s 2029 target.

NCR subway.jpg

(photo: Mark Balmores)

The MMSP is a 33-kilometer railway system that will connect Valenzuela City to Pasay City with a spur line at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) Terminal 3 in Paranaque City.

Once operational, the subway is expected to reduce travel time from Valenzuela to NAIA from 1 hour and 30 minutes to 35 minutes, servicing 519,000 passengers daily.

The MMSP is the first underground railway in the country.

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