BIZ BUZZ: The row over Metro Manila Subway’s ROW
Just like what his father accomplished with the Light Rail Transit Line 1, President Marcos wants to build an ambitious railway network before his term’s end. His administration, as such, has been keen on realizing the Metro Manila Subway, the country’s very first underground railway project.
But the project dubbed the “crown jewel” of the rail sector might be losing some of its shine.
A source said the subway, along with the North-South Commuter Railway and other projects, was finding it difficult to move forward because of right-of-way (ROW) issues brought about by an impasse arising from conflicting policies on resettlement action plans.
According to the country’s loan agreement with the Japan International Cooperation Agency and Asia Development Bank for these projects, the people who will be affected due to ROW acquisition must be given compensation in full prior to their displacement. This policy is in line with the financial institution’s environmental and social guidelines.
But the country’s ROW act provides for payment of only 50 percent of the negotiated price of the sold land upon the deed of sale. The remaining will only be paid after the land was “completely cleared of structures, improvements, crops and trees.”
A source said this was seen to disrupt the construction because the people who were supposed to already move out would remain in the property while the clearing process is being done. After all, these people are waiting for the remainder of the payment before leaving.
Given this conflict, the projects might be derailed from achieving the target completion before the current administration ends its term. However, the source said there was hope of at least having partial operations by 2028.
