The Department of Transportation (DOTr) and the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) reported significant milestones in the land acquisition and right-of-way (ROW) process for the North-South Commuter Railway (NSCR) System. Following a joint site inspection on February 5, 2026, officials confirmed that the north segment is on track for a June 2026 ROW completion, aligning with President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s directive to fast-track flagship infrastructure.
As of early 2026, the ROW acquisition for the NSCR north segment has reached 56% completion. Transportation Assistant Secretary for ROWSA, IC Calaguas, provided a breakdown of the current progress:
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Lot Acquisition: 1,143 out of 2,034 targeted lots have been successfully secured.
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Social Safeguards: 1,439 out of 2,448 project-affected informal settler families (ISFs) have already received compensation and assistance.
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Target: Full site possession for the north segment by June 2026.
During the inspection of the N03 alignment and the Angeles and San Fernando stations, JICA Senior Deputy Director Murakami Kota lauded the DOTr’s proactive approach. “We understand the significant effort by the DOTr and appreciate Secretary Lopez’s initiatives. Targeting the completion of land acquisition for the north side within 2026 is key, and we will provide full cooperation to ensure this timeline is met,” said Murakami.
Transportation Secretary Giovanni Lopez emphasized that the agency is working “double time” to ensure construction remains uninterrupted. “The President’s order is clear: finish these projects quickly. We are accelerating the right-of-way process so that our commuters can benefit from the NSCR as soon as possible,” Secretary Lopez stated.
The DOTr is not only focusing on technical milestones but also on the welfare of project-affected persons (PAPs). In partnership with the Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development (DHSUD) and the National Housing Authority (NHA), the DOTr is closely monitoring resettlement sites in:
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Angeles City, Pampanga
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San Fernando City, Pampanga
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Calumpit, Bulacan
The joint team also inspected critical engineering features, including the Extradosed Bridge and ongoing civil works at key Pampanga stations, ensuring that the 147-kilometer railway remains the backbone of Luzon’s future transportation network.
