President Marcos Initiates Inter-Agency Committee for Railway ROW in the Philippines

janimonow

April 2

President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. has taken a significant step in enhancing the Philippine national railway system by instituting an Inter-Agency Committee for Right-of-Way (ROW) Activities. This new committee is aimed at optimizing the process of land acquisition for railway projects, ensuring a more cohesive and efficient approach to national infrastructure development.

Under the mandate of Administrative Order No. 19, the committee will engage in comprehensive planning and execution strategies for land acquisition related to railway expansion. Its responsibilities include coordinating railway policy implementation, formulating project-specific policies, and addressing livelihood, income restoration, and resettlement issues associated with ROW activities.

The committee will also evaluate and integrate existing policies, contracts, and agreements between government entities, streamline budgeting processes, and address grievances. Technical working groups will be established to facilitate the order's execution.

The Department of Transportation (DOTr) will lead the committee, with its secretary serving as chairperson, while the Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development will co-chair. The Philippine National Railway (PNR) has been designated to act as the Secretariat, offering administrative and technical assistance.

This initiative, backed by the Right-of-Way Act (RA No. 10752), empowers the government to procure real property for national infrastructure projects, marking a pivotal move in the Philippines' commitment to enhancing its transportation infrastructure and supporting economic growth.