Acting Sec. Lopez: ROW acquisition for NSCR North section to be completed mid-2026
The Department of Transportation (DOTr) has secured the right-of-way (ROW) in six areas from Calumpit, Bulacan to Clark, Pampanga to speed up the completion of the North-South Commuter Railway (NSCR) System.
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has directed the DOTr to streamline land acquisition process for big-ticket transport projects to expedite construction of critical infrastructure aimed at easing the plight of commuters.
Transportation Acting Secretary Giovanni Lopez said the ROW acquisition of properties will continue to address long standing bottlenecks upon the orders of President Marcos to provide efficient and reliable transport infrastructure.
“We extend our gratitude to the local government units in these critical areas where we will construct the NSCR, particularly those in Angeles City, Mabalacat City, City of San Fernando, Apalit, Minalin, Sto. Tomas, Calumpit, Malolos, and the provinces of Pampanga and Bulacan, for their invaluable support and cooperation in making this project possible,” Acting Secretary Lopez said.
The six ROW properties cleared are situated in Clark International Airport, SM Clark, Brgy. Pulungbulo in Angeles, Pampanga, Barangay Sto. Nino in San Fernando, Brgy. San Vicente in Apalit, and Brgy. Iba Este in Calumpit.
Construction of the Malolos Station meanwhile, is nearing its completion.
The acting transport chief cited the strong support and cooperation of local government units in Pampanga and Bulacan, while also lauding the efforts of the Right-of-Way and Site Acquisition (ROWSA) Team led by DOTr Assistant Secretary IC Calaguas for speeding up the process of land acquisition.
Meanwhile, Acting Secretary Lopez expressed confidence that all ROW requirements for the northern section of the NSCR’s Malolos to Clark will be completed by mid-2026.
On the other hand, the DOTr is targeting to complete ROW acquisition for nine (9) stations on the southern section by December 2025, including those in Biñan, Cabuyao, Sta. Rosa, EDSA, Sucat, Muntinlupa, FTI, Blumentritt, and Sta. Mesa.
The agency is also fast-tracking the utility relocation of the NSCR’s southern segment by December 2025, alongside the Banlic Depot, with ROW acquisition already at 98 percent.
“Minamadali na talaga natin ang right of way at konstruksyon ng ating railway ayon sa direktiba ng Pangulong Marcos,” Acting Secretary Lopez said.
