DOTr: Speedy ROW resolution key to NSCR timetable

MANILA, Philippines — The speedy resolution of rights-of-way (ROW) concerns and the resettlement of informal settlers living along the planned route of the North South Commuter Railway (NSCR) are crucial components for the on-time completion of the vital transportation infrastructure, the Department of Transportation (DOTr) said.

DOTr Undersecretary Jeremy Regino said the agency is determined to complete the 147-kilometer urban rail system within the five-year time frame despite potential concerns. He said the DOTr is working “double time” to secure the ROW needed by NSCR contractors in order for construction work to proceed “full steam ahead”.

“As soon as we deliver all the needed ROW, we will ask them to ensure that the NSCR is completed within the time frame or even ahead of the deadline,” Regino said.

He added that various government agencies are collaborating to ensure that informal settlers living along the NSCR route will be provided with resettlement areas and that they are moved to these new communities soonest.

Regino said the NSCR is vital to the dispersion of economic growth opportunities to the provinces and regions which will be served by the system. He also clarified that the government is now carefully studying the feasibility of extending the NSCR further north from its present end-point in Clark.

The system has been initially designed to serve the Calamba-Clark corridor. It will pass through certain parts of Metro Manila. It will have a total of 36 stations and will include an airport express service to the Clark International Airport. The service will feature a high-speed train which will cut travel time to the airport by 50 percent.

Regino said construction work has begun in several areas along the NSCR route even while the ROW concerns are being resolved. The old Philippine National Railways (PNR) line which will form part of the NSCR alignment is scheduled to be temporarily suspended to give way to construction activities.

In an earlier statement, Regino said the PNR would halt its Governor Pascual-Tutuban and Tutuban-Alabang operations starting March 28. The suspension of PNR operations along these routes will accelerate the project timetable by an estimated eight months and will save the government at least P15.18 billion from the project, the DOTr said.

Regino said the government is also working fast on the ROW requirements for the Metro Manila Subway Project (MMSP), the 33.1-kilometer underground rail transportation system that will run from Valenzuela City to the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA). The system will have 17 stations and is expected to serve from 400,000 to 800,000 passengers daily once completed.

Regino said this subway system has been designed to interconnect with the various existing light rail transit lines in Metro Manila, as well as with the NSCR.