Right-of-way (ROW) acquisition for the Metro Manila Subway Project (MMSP) reached 90.76 percent by end-2025, while at least 56 percent of the North-South Commuter Railway (NSCR) North Segment has been completed.

The progress aligns with President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s directive to fast-track land acquisition for the thousands of commuters expected to benefit from both projects.

In a statement Friday, Department of Transportation (DOTr) acting Secretary Giovanni Lopez said MMSP ROW acquisition stood at just 51 percent as of February last year. For the NSCR North Segment, acquired properties increased from 38 parcels in February to 1,143 by December 2025.

“In 2025, it was a banner year for ROW because we accelerated land acquisition for the benefit of commuters of the subway and NSCR,” Lopez said.

The accelerated acquisitions were achieved under former DOTr Secretary Vince Dizon and incumbent acting Secretary Lopez by addressing major bottlenecks in the MMSP, including Varilla Properties and sites in White Plains, Corinthian Gardens, and Metrowalk.

The ROW and site acquisition (ROWSA) program is also being implemented through key initiatives, including the appointment of DOTr Assistant Secretary for ROWSA IC Calaguas to oversee land acquisition for the projects. ROWSA personnel were expanded from 200 to 900, alongside capacity-building and training programs.

ROWSA for the NSCR North Segment is expected to be completed by mid-2026. For the NSCR South Segment, ROW has been cleared for four of 19 stations—EDSA, Cabuyao, Santa Rosa, and the Banlic Depot.

DOTR PHOTO