The Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) has commended the Department of Transportation (DOTr) for progress in acquiring land for the northern segment of the 147-kilometer North-South Commuter Railway (NSCR) System.
The DOTr aims to complete the right-of-way process by June 2026 following a directive from President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to fast-track property acquisition for major infrastructure projects.
DOTr Secretary Giovanni Lopez said the agency’s site acquisition office is working to finish the process for the northern segment by June this year to prevent construction delays.
“The mandate from President Marcos is to fast-track projects such as the NSCR. The DOTr is doubling its efforts in right-of-way acquisition to prevent delays and speed up construction for the immediate benefit of the riding public,” Lopez said.
JICA senior deputy director Murakami Kota expressed support for the agency’s efforts during a site visit on Feb. 5, 2026. He said that completing land acquisition for the northern section by 2026 is a critical milestone for the project.
“We understand the so much effort by the DOTr, and we appreciate acting Secretary Lopez’ initiatives. The DOTr said they target to complete land acquisition especially the north side of the NSCR within 2026 and I think it’s key and we’ll give the cooperation to complete all the land acquisition,” Murakami said.
DOTr assistant secretary IC Calaguas reported that right-of-way acquisition for the north segment is now at 56 percent. The agency has acquired 1,143 out of 2,034 lots required for the project.
Calaguas said that while right-of-way acquisition for the North-South Commuter Railway is only at 56 percent, Lopez wanted to hit 100 percent by June 2026 under a directive from President Marcos.
The joint DOTr-JICA team inspected the N03 alignment, the N02 site office and civil works at the Angeles and San Fernando stations in Pampanga. They also visited relocation sites for project-affected persons. To date, the DOTr has provided payments to 1,439 out of 2,448 affected informal settler families.
The agency said it is monitoring the construction of resettlement sites in Angeles City and San Fernando City in Pampanga and Calumpit in Bulacan in coordination with the Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development and the National Housing Authority.
