The Department of Transportation reported that families affected by the North-South Commuter Railway (NSCR) Project in Pampanga are beginning to rebuild their lives through government assistance.

The 147-kilometer railway, which will connect Clark International Airport to Calamba, required the acquisition of properties, affecting several households classified as project-affected persons (PAPs).

According to the DOTr, affected residents received compensation and additional financial assistance for income loss, enabling them to purchase new homes, acquire land, and start small businesses.

The assistance was implemented in line with the directive of Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to ensure that families impacted by government infrastructure projects are properly compensated and supported.

Transportation Secretary Vince Dizon said the government remains committed to helping affected communities recover and improve their living conditions.

Beneficiaries shared how the support changed their lives.

“Nakapundar po ako ng isang lote at nakapagpatayo po ako ng bahay para sa pamilya ko. Umunlad po kasi malapit na pong matapos yung mga anak ko sa pag-aaral,” said Mang Jojo.

“Malaking pagbabago ’yung naibigay na tulong ng DOTr. Nakabili kami ng sariling bahay… pinasasalamatan namin lalo na ang Pangulo,” said Mang Jaime.

“Dati po wala akong bahay at nangungupahan lang ako. Ngayon po mas maluwag kasi sarili ko na yung bahay, may tindahan pa,” added Mang Randy.

Aling Celina, who used her compensation to start a sari-sari store, said, “Nagbago ang aming buhay… malaking tulong sa amin,” noting that she now earns around ₱1,500 to ₱3,000 daily.

Once operational, the NSCR is expected to cut travel time between Clark and Calamba from over four hours to about two hours. The project is also projected to generate about 350,000 jobs during construction and serve up to 800,000 passengers daily across its 35 stations.