President Marcos Jr. has formed an inter-agency committee that would oversee the right-of way (ROW) activities for national railway projects and expedite the processes of land acquisition needed for the implementation of these projects.
The President, through Administrative Order (AO) No. 19 dated March 25, said issues concerning land acquisition, as well as resettlement activities for project affected persons (PAPS) have adversely affected the timelines for the implementation of railway projects in the country.
Marcos said priority infrastructure projects in the transportation sector include the Metro Manila
Subway Project, North-South Commuter Railway System, Mindanao Railway Project, and Philippine National Railway South Long Haul, among others.
“There is a need to constitute an Inter-Agency Committee for ROW activities to accelerate the implementation of railway projects, and ensure high-level cooperation and support from concerned government agencies to streamline the process of land acquisition and delivery of services to PAPS,” he said.
The Inter-Agency Committee for ROW Activities for National Railway Projects is headed by the secretary of the Department of Transportation as chair with the head of the Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development as co-chairman. Committee members include representatives from the departments of the Interior and Local Government, Social Welfare and Development, Environment and Natural Resources, Finance, Budget and Management and Justice and the Office of the Solicitor General.
The PNR shall serve as the secretariat of the committee and shall provide administrative and technical support to the body.
The committee will also coordinate the implementation of railway policies and projects, craft and approve project-specific policies and programs, and identify the appropriate services or programs concerning land acquisition and other ROW activities, such as livelihood, income restoration, and resettlement.
The AO takes effect upon its publication in the Official Gazette or a newspaper of general circulation.
