Marcos backs changes to ‘right-of-way’ processes

FILE PHOTO: President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. MALACAÑANG PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines — President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. pushed for the passage of a measure that would amend the right-of-way processes and help expedite infrastructure projects in the country.

According to the Presidential Communications Office (PCO), the President disclosed during a meeting with the Private Sector Advisory Council-Infrastructure Sector Group (PSAC-ISG) on Wednesday, June 5, that he talked to Senate President Francis “Chiz” Escudero and Speaker Martin Romualdez and mentioned about a filed bill at the House of Representatives that seeks amendment to existing procedures on securing a right-of-way.

He also said he spoke with the Solicitor General about the issue.

READ: New body formed to fix right-of-way delays in rail projects

Currently, a right-of-way involved securing a writ of possession after a 15 percent initial payment to the owners of the affected property, the PCO explained in a statement Thursday.

“Talagang malaking delay sa right-of-way (The right-of-way is a big delay),” Marcos told the PSAC-ISG, as quoted in the PCO’s press release.

“So, I spoke to the SolGen (Solicitor General) about it. I spoke to Chiz and to Martin— the Speaker and the SP (Senate President) and I said there is a bill. There’s a house bill that’s going through the process that wants to amend the right-of-way process,” he added.

READ: DOTr: Only 55% of right-of-way acquired for Metro Manila Subway

PSAC-ISG member Rogelio Singson, a former chief of the Department of Public Works and Highways, said proposed amendments to prevailing right-of-way procedures pose no problems when it comes to cost as long as the government offers the market price for the property.

“As you said, you just need the deposit and then go to the expropriation, let the courts decide how much will be the eventual cost, but the writ of possession has to be issued,” Singson noted.