The NSCR should not suffer any more delays if we are to free ourselves from the scourge of horrible traffic jams in Metro Manila
We’ve been tracking the progress in upgrading our rail system as a key component of reliable mass transport in Metro Manila.
In a previous column, we lamented report that some barangay officials in the city seemed to be deliberately defying President Marcos Jr.’s order for local governments to support the right-of-way requirements of the country’s flagship rail transportation project.
But here’s the good news: It looks like the mayor of a city in Metro Manila did not take things sitting down and decided to show barangay captains who is the real boss in that local government unit.
It appears that there’s ongoing dialogue between government functionaries and informal settler families from this Metro Manila city who will be affected by the construction of the North South Commuter Railways (NSCR).
The said mega-project is the 147-kilometer railway system which will connect Calamba City in the South and the New Clark City in the north.
Using modern, high-speed trains, the NSCR will pass through several key areas in Metro Manila which used to be traversed by the antiquated trains of the PNR.
The PNR has already suspended the service of the section passing through Metro Manila so that construction of the NSCR in the NCR can now shift to high gear.
That was when reports came out that the project may be stalled because some barangay officials allegedly refused to allow inter-agency teams of the government to enter areas under their jurisdiction.
The teams were supposed to conduct surveys to determine the location and number of illegal structures that may have to give way to the project, and to determine who will qualify for the resettlement program prepared by the government.
These teams were supposed to conduct public information campaigns on the NSCR and to listen to the side of the affected informal settlers.
Hence, since the government teams were allegedly refused access to the area by some barangay officials, the preparatory work for the clearing of the right-of-way could not be done.
There were also reports that the construction crews of the private contractors were also barred by some barangay officials from doing work in their area despite possessing the necessary permits.
Worse, some barangay officials reportedly told the inter-agency teams their refusal to allow entry into their areas was based on instructions by a congressman.
Given that situation, it looked like chances were bleak that the NSCR project would take off and be completed on time.
But we were pleasantly surprised when representatives of barangays whose chairmen figured prominently in the reported blocking of the government inter-agency teams and construction crews attended a recent meeting to thresh out contentious issues.
Our sources say the change of heart on the part of the barangay execs came about after they were summoned to the office of the LGU head and were told to stop blocking the activities of the NSCR project teams.
We salute this particular mayor and all the other LGU heads backing the NSCR project.
No, we are not happy that the barangay execs involved had to go through the embarrassing experience.
What we are happy about is that the project—which has entered a critical phase—can now proceed at full throttle.
We are also happy for the informal settlers who now have the chance to make a new start in life in the resettlement areas that national government agencies have prepared for them.
We are also happy that the lead agency, the Department of Transportation, did its best to mobilize support from various sectors, particularly local government units.
The NSCR project has shown to all that if our country is to succeed in its bid to provide us with modern infrastructure, all sectors—including LGUs—have to come in and help.
National government-LGU collaboration especially in the NCR becomes more urgent in view of reports that some 13,000 illegal structures along the NSCR right-of-way may have to be demolished.
It will take time to dismantle these obstacles.
There will be further delays if the owners of the illegal structures put up stiff resistance and are aided by barangay officials in their areas.
The inter-agency team for the NSCR said the government is strictly following the procedures for the dismantling of these illegal structures.
This is good news for the affected informal settlers.
We hope they cooperate with these procedures.
The NSCR should not suffer any more delays if we are to free ourselves from the scourge of horrible traffic jams in Metro Manila. (Email: [email protected])