The Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA) continues to make progress in securing the right-of-way (ROW) for the Subic-Clark-Manila-Batangas (SCMB) Railway Project. On March 4, BCDA distributed 36 Transfer Certificates of Title (TCTs) to landowners affected by the project in Pampanga.
The handover ceremony was led by BCDA Vice President and Subic-Clark Railway Project Director Jocelyn L. Caniones, who presented the certificates to 17 landowners from Porac and Floridablanca. Also present were Pampanga Board Member Fritzie David-Dizon and Provincial Assessor Manuel N. Mendoza Jr., representing Governor Dennis G. Pineda and Vice Governor Lilia G. Pineda.
Caniones commended the landowners for their cooperation, emphasizing their vital role in the successful implementation of the SCMB Railway Project, which is central to the development of Central Luzon and the country as a whole.
“The SCMB Railway Project would not succeed without the support of the landowners who gave way to the railway’s requirements. Their contribution is crucial in achieving the vision of the Luzon Economic Corridor,” Caniones stated.
This handover marks the second batch of TCTs distributed by BCDA, following the initial release of 68 certificates in November 2024. The process follows Republic Act 10752, or the Right-of-Way Act, which ensures fair compensation for affected property owners.
The SCMB Railway Project will span 26.9 kilometers in Porac and Floridablanca, impacting 519 lots. To date, BCDA has negotiated with 212 landowners, 163 of whom have received partial or full compensation.
Governor Pineda, in a message delivered by Engr. Mendoza, expressed gratitude to the landowners for their patience and cooperation. “Your willingness to work together has been essential to the success of this project,” he said.
Once completed, the 250-kilometer SCMB Railway will connect key economic points in Luzon, including the Port of Subic, Clark International Airport, the Port of Manila, and the Port of Batangas, transforming the nation’s transport and logistics sectors.
The BCDA remains committed to advancing the ROW acquisition process as the national government looks forward to the project’s successful implementation. The feasibility study will be a collaborative effort between the United States, Sweden, and the Asian Development Bank.
