4 of 5 subway ROW issues solved – DOTr

MANILA, Philippines — Four of the five major right-of-way (ROW) issues hampering the construction of the Metro Manila subway have been resolved, with the remaining hurdle expected to be cleared in the coming months, Transportation Secretary Vince Dizon announced yesterday.

Dizon said resolving ROW problems is crucial to fast-tracking the country’s first underground rail line.

The Department of Transportation has secured the necessary lots in four segments of the subway project where the DOTr was dealing with ROW conflicts.

“When we came in, there were about five major ROW issues with the subway,” Dizon said.

The DOTr has turned over the ROW for subway works to proceed in Anonas and White Plains in Quezon City; Valenzuela, and Bonifacio Global City in Taguig.

Dizon said the DOTr is left with one ROW issue to deal with: the Ortigas property where the Payanig sa Pasig used to stand.

The property, which covers parts of the MetroWalk, remains unresolved due to overlapping claims and legal ownership. It is under the jurisdiction of the Presidential Commission on Good Government.

Dizon is confident that the ROW in the area would be transferred to the contractor in the next few weeks.

He said the DOTr is working with Pasig Mayor Vico Sotto in acquiring the property to begin construction.

The Metro Manila subway is projected to serve 370,000 passengers daily in its initial phase, easing traffic congestion and modernizing the country’s transport system.