The Department of Transportation (DOTr) announced a significant breakthrough in the development of the nation’s “crown jewel” transit systems today, reporting that right-of-way (ROW) acquisition for the Metro Manila Subway Project (MMSP) has reached 90.76% as of December 2025.
This milestone represents a dramatic acceleration under the Marcos Administration. In February 2025, MMSP land acquisition stood at just 51%. The DOTr has also cleared 56% of the buildable ROW for the North-South Commuter Railway (NSCR) North Segment, a stark increase from the mere 2% recorded earlier last year.
Under the strategic leadership of former Secretary Vince Dizon and incumbent Secretary Giovanni Lopez, the DOTr successfully resolved long-standing land disputes that previously stalled progress. Key areas now secured include:
Varilla Properties
White Plains and Corinthian Gardens
Metrowalk
“2025 was a banner year for our right-of-way efforts,” said Transportation Secretary Giovanni Lopez. “We have streamlined our processes to ensure these projects are delivered to the Filipino commuters as quickly as possible, as directed by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.”
The rapid progress is attributed to a massive internal restructuring of the DOTr’s Right-of-Way and Site Acquisition (ROWSA) division. To meet the President’s directive for speed, the agency:
Increased Personnel: Expanded the ROWSA team from 200 to 900 dedicated staff.
Leadership Oversight: Appointed Assistant Secretary for ROWSA IC Calaguas to directly supervise land negotiations and site clearing.
Capacity Building: Implemented intensive training programs to equip the workforce with advanced negotiation and legal skills.
The NSCR North Segment saw a remarkable surge in property acquisition, jumping from 38 parcels in February 2025 to 1,143 parcels by year-end.
Progress is also gaining momentum on the NSCR South Segment, with four critical locations now cleared:
EDSA Station
Cabuyao Station
Santa Rosa Station
Banlic Depot
Secretary Lopez expressed confidence that the current momentum will allow the DOTr to fully complete ROW acquisition for the NSCR North segment by mid-2026, paving the way for full-scale construction and the eventual relief of Metro Manila’s traffic congestion.
