The Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) has recognized the significant progress made by the Department of Transportation (DOTr) in right-of-way and property acquisition for the northern segment of the 147-kilometer North-South Commuter Railway (NSCR) System, with completion targeted by June 2026.
The DOTr said the accelerated pace of site acquisition aligns with President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s directive to fast-track major infrastructure projects to hasten public access to modern transport systems.
Transportation Secretary Banoy Lopez expressed confidence that the agency’s Right-of-Way and Site Acquisition (ROWSA) office will complete the process for the NSCR north segment within the target timeline.
He said the President has directed agencies to speed up major projects such as the NSCR, prompting the DOTr to intensify efforts in acquiring right-of-way to ensure uninterrupted construction and faster delivery of services to commuters.
JICA Senior Deputy Director Murakami Kota expressed support for the DOTr’s accelerated efforts, noting the importance of completing land acquisition, particularly for the northern portion of the railway, within 2026. He made the statement during a DOTr-JICA site visit on February 5.
Meanwhile, Transportation Assistant Secretary for ROWSA IC Calaguas reported that right-of-way and site acquisition for the NSCR north segment has reached 56 percent completion, with 1,143 of the total 2,034 required lots already acquired.
During the joint inspection, the DOTr-JICA team visited key project sites, including the N03 alignment, N02 site office, Extradosed Bridge, and ongoing civil works at the Angeles and San Fernando stations in Pampanga. The team also inspected relocation sites for project-affected persons.
As of latest data, the DOTr has completed compensation payments for 1,439 of the 2,448 project-affected informal settler families.
The agency is also closely monitoring the construction of resettlement sites in Angeles City and City of San Fernando, Pampanga, as well as in Calumpit, Bulacan, in coordination with the Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development and the National Housing Authority.
The NSCR is among the government’s flagship railway projects aimed at improving mass transport connectivity in Luzon and easing travel time for commuters.
