DOTr on a ROW-buying spree 

Transportation Acting Secretary Giovanni Lopez said that 2025 was a “banner year” for the agency’s ROW acquisition for the flagship railway initiatives of the government.

Lopez emphasized that in February last year, the acquired ROW for Metro Manila Subway Project (MMSP) stood at only 51%, while for the North-South Commuter Railway (NSCR) north segment, it was only 2%.

The ROW bought for the Subway project now stands at 91% while for the railway project, it is 56%.

The Department of Transportation (DOTr) chief said the agency had also addressed “major bottlenecks” for the MMSP’s ROW such as the Varilla properties and those in White Plains, Corinthian Gardens, and Metrowalk.

He said that the DOTr has accelerated the ROW and site acquisition process through several key initiatives.

The task is now under the able leadership of Assistant Secretary for ROW and Site Acquisition IC Calaguas.

The Transportation Department has likewise augmented its ROW and site acquisition personnel from 200 to 900 to expedite the land acquisition process, while also holding capacity building and training programs to enhance workforce knowledge and skills.

For the NSCR north segment, the number of acquired land parcels has increased to 1,143 as of December 2025 from 38% in February 2025.

For the south segment of NSCR, he said that four out of the 19 stations’ ROW are now cleared namely EDSA, Cabuyao and Sta. Rosa in Laguna and Banlic depot.

Lopez said that with the current progress, “the DOTr can complete ROW acquisition for NSCR’s north segment by mid-2026.”