Gov’t allots P12.4 B in ROW payments for infra

The national government has earmarked for this year P12.4 billion for the payment of private properties needed to be bought because they stand in the way of public infrastructure projects under the “Build Better More” projects of President Marcos.

Surigao del Sur Rep. Johnny Pimentel said the allocation given to the Department of Transportation (DOTr) is expected to implement several massive infrastructure projects of the administration until the end of Marcos’ term in 2028.

“The DOTr has a budget of P12.4 billion for right-of-way (ROW) payments this year. This is itemized in the 2023 General Appropriations Law,” Pimentel, a member of the House committee on flagship programs and projects, said.

“The ROW payments are in accordance with Article III, Section 9 of the Constitution, which forbids the government from taking private property for public use without just compensation,” he said.

The bulk of the ROW payments would go to landowners affected by the 148-kilometer North-South Commuter Railway; 33-kilometer Metro Manila Subway; 11-kilometer LRT Line 1 Cavite Extension and the 175-hectare New Zamboanga International Airport, according to Pimentel.

“While these ongoing projects will take several years to complete, they are already stimulating our economy and creating tens of thousands of construction-related jobs that benefit low-income households,” the Mindanao lawmaker said.

The House of Representatives earlier approved on third and final reading a bill that would expedite ROW acquisition, which has been a leading cause of delays in the execution of infrastructure projects.

Under House Bill 6571, affected landowners would be offered either current market value or zonal value for their properties, as determined by the Bureau of Internal Revenue, whichever is higher.

Landowners would also receive compensation for the cost of replacing structures or improvements on their properties, including machinery, and for loss of income.

Under the bill, upon execution of the deed of sale, the landowner would be paid 100 percent of the agreed price as long as the title to the property is clean.

In the case of land occupied by informal settlers, the Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development, in coordination with local government units, would be required to establish relocation sites with basic services and community facilities.