Right-of-way issues cause delays in infrastructure projects

Right-of-way (RoW) issues caused a delay in the progress of government infrastructure projects, InfraWatch PH Convenor Terry Ridon said to ����ý.��

“One of the reasons there had been delays in particular projects, particularly not on PPPs, but on ongoing projects, was because of the right of way issue,” he said.��

President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. admitted in a last June 5 that the ROW issues caused a huge delay.��

“That’s very, very timely because we had a briefing on the flagship projects and the delays — talagang malaking delay sa right of way [It’s severely delayed because of the right-of-way,”] Mr. Marcos said.��

Mr. Ridon elaborated that the MRT 7, EDSA busway proposal, and rehabilitation, maintenance, and operation of the MRT 3 were some projects experiencing slow progress.����

“MRT 7 has been severely delayed particularly because there had been objections in local governments, particularly in Bulacan, relating to the original alignment of the MRT 7,” Mr. Ridon said.��

Mr. Marcos suggested returning to the old process of addressing the ROW issues to expedite the delayed project.����

“Ibalik niyo na lang sa dati [Revert it back to the old process.] After you pay 15 percent, turnover na. Now, if you want to argue about valuation whatever it is then go ahead, but the project can already begin,” he said.��

According to ast June 4, the Department of Transportation (DOTr) is currently working with the local government of San Jose del Monte in Bulacan to resolve the issue.����

“Nagsschedule kami this June ng inspection ng DOTr, San Miguel Corp. at San Jose LGU para makita ang kanilang proposed alignment at station location, [We have scheduled an inspection with the DOTr, San Miguel Corp., and the San Jose LGU this June to discuss the proposed alignment and station location,”] she said.��

In the discussion last July 26, Transportation Secretary Jaime J. Bautista mentioned that the completion MRT-7 rail system would happen in two years.��

In line with this, the train system is at 69.86% as of May, and partial operation of the stations in the Quezon City area will commence by the end of 2025.����

“Magpa-partial operations po tayo ng 12 stations by end of 2025 at inaasahan naman po na yung next station—station 13 [Tala Station] na magiging operational by end of 2026, [Partial operations for the 12 stations will begin at the end of 2025 while, the 13th station will operate by the end of the following 2026,”] she said.��

As stated in the the government allotted P8.3 trillion for the 194 projects under the “Build Better More” program.��

“One of the keys to continuing economic growth is infrastructure development. So, we will build better, and more,” Mr. Marcos said.�� – Almira Louise S. Martinez