The Department of Transportation (DOTr) said it aims to complete the right-of-way and land acquisition for the 147-kilometer North-South Commuter Railway (NSCR) by June 2026, a key step needed to keep construction on track and deliver faster, more reliable transport for the public.
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has ordered the DOTr to fast-track land acquisition to speed up major infrastructure projects. Transportation Secretary Giovanni Lopez said the agency is intensifying efforts so construction can proceed without delays and commuters can benefit sooner from reduced travel time and improved rail service. The Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) has expressed support for the accelerated land acquisition, calling it critical to the project’s completion.
As of now, the DOTr has acquired 56 percent of the required lots for the NSCR’s northern segment, with 1,143 out of 2,034 lots secured. The agency has also paid compensation to 1,439 of 2,448 affected informal settler families and is coordinating with housing agencies to complete resettlement sites in Pampanga and Bulacan. Officials said completing land acquisition on time is essential to avoid construction delays and ensure the public gains access to safer, faster, and more efficient commuter rail services.
