Subway ROW acquisition very challenging – DOTr

MANILA, Philippines — The government will spend P11.26 billion to acquire the right of way (ROW) in the initial segment of the Metro Manila Subway, but finishing the project by 2028 has become challenging due to a looming conflict with the upper class.

Based on documents obtained by The STAR, the allocation will be used to pay for the 12 percent value added tax and customs duties of equipment to be deployed in the project.

However, a hefty chunk of the budget will go to ROW acquisition in priority areas of contract packages (CP) 101 to 104 of the underground railway. CP 101, bagged by a joint venture led by EEI Corp., comprises four stations – East Valenzuela, Quirino Highway, Tandang Sora and North Ave-nue – as well as the depot and the Philippine Railway Institute Building.

CP 102, granted to D.M. Consunji Inc., involves the stations on Quezon Avenue and East Avenue while Sumitomo Mitsui Construction Co. Ltd. secured CP 103, which comprises the Anonas to Camp Aguinaldo stretch. Megawide Construction Corp., on the other hand, won CP 104, representing the Ortigas to Shaw Boulevard segment.

As early as now, Transportation Undersecretary Cesar Chavez signaled that it would be a “very challenging task” for the government to procure the ROW for the subway and complete it by 2028 as scheduled.

Chavez said the Department of Transportation (DOTr) has even sought the help of agencies like the Office of the Solicitor General (OSG) , National Housing Authority (NHA) and the Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development (DHSUD).

“We’re strengthening our ROW teams and collaboration with the OSG, NHA, DHSUD and other government agencies, and we’re streamlining our processes, too,” Chavez told The STAR.

Infrawatch PH convenor Terry Ridon also informed The STAR that the government would face an uphill battle in getting the ROW for the subway. For instance, CPs 103 and 104 will cover areas where exclusive villages are located, setting up the DOTr for a costly and protracted conflict with wealthy families.

“For context, the acquisition of private property along the subway alignment covers the country’s most exclusive villages and commercial properties. As such, the government should expect stiff opposition grinding through a prolonged expropriation process,” Ridon said.

Based on the alignment, transport experts told The STAR that the government may have to deal with homeowners of Corinthian Hills and White Plains – both exclusive villages in Quezon City – in building the subway.

Ridon, a member of the House Committee on Transportation in his lawmaker years, said just the ROW issue in gated villages could delay the completion of the Metro Manila Subway.

“If the acquisition of private property gets stuck on protracted litigation, the 2028 completion may be unrealistic,” Ridon said.

In the future, Ridon said the government has to streamline its ROW procedure to accelerate the delivery of infrastructure projects that would benefit the public. In November the Department of Public Works and Highways initiated a review of its ROW processes in the hope of expediting the progress of big-ticket projects.

“There are projects that remain delayed because of ROW issues, such as the extension project of the North Luzon Expressway. The government has not yet been able to resolve resettlement concerns of affected urban poor residents,” Ridon said.

The DOTr is trying to speed up the civil works for the subway, even closing portions of Meralco Avenue, one of the busiest roads in Pasig City, until 2028 to make way for construction.

The P488.48 billion Metro Manila Subway, funded by Japan, will stretch for about 33 kilometers across seven cities, from Valenzuela City to Pasay City.

As the first underground railway in the Philippines, it is expected to reduce travel time between Quezon City and the Ninoy Aquino International Airport to just 35 minutes.