President Marcos is set to sign a bill amending the right-of-way approved by lawmakers before the 19th Congress adjourns this month, the Department of Transportation (DOTr) said.
Transportation Secretary Vince Dizon viewed the measure as a “game changer” for government infrastructure projects, especially on issues concerning subterranean or underground right-of-way, which is key to finishing the Metro Manila Subway Project (MMSP).
“If dadaanan ng gobyerno ang subterranean right-of-way mo, halimbawa sa subway, 18 meters pwedeng kunin ng gobyerno yan. Pero pag hindi dadaanan (If the government passes your right-of-way, for example the subway, the State could expropriate 18 meters, otherwise) I think you’d still own up to 40 meters,” Dizon said.
“This was actually a very elegant and very intelligent proposal by the Senate President because this was a big debate… I think that’s a very Solomonic solution to that problem,” he noted.
Dizon said earlier the subway project could take until 2032 to complete due to challenges about land acquisition.
He also said the DOTr had secured approval to build underneath an exclusive subdivision in Quezon City, although right-of-way issues were still being discussed with the Bonifacio Global City and Metrowalk.
According to the DOTr), it has secured a permit to proceed with the Metro Manila Subway underneath an exclusive subdivision in Quezon City.
“We were able to get the permit to enter White Plains, so that’s okay.. The next ones are the other subdivisions,” Dizon added.
Since the tunnel boring machine was installed in the site last January, it has so far drilled only about 88 meters going to Ortigas, as right-of-way issues prevented it from going full blast.
Dizon expressed hopes however, that at least two or three stations could be completed during the watch of President Marcos.
“We could see the trains running starting from the north— Valenzuela, Quirino, hopefully, North Avenue,” he said.
The unprecedented P488-billion subway project will run through 17 stations from Valenzuela City to Bicutan in Taguig and will have a spur line going to the Ninoy Aquino International Airport.
