The Department of Transportation (DOTr) and the National Housing Authority (NHA) are set to build the country’s first medium-rise relation project in Angeles City, Pampanga for residents affected by the North-South Commuter Railway (NSCR) project.

In a statement on Friday, DOTr Acting Secretary Giovanni Lopez said the relocation project is in line with President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s order to the DOTr and NHA to provide those affected by the NSCR with adequate and decent living environment.

“What President Marcos said is we must ensure that those who will be affected by the transport projects will move to a decent home with basic facilities such as water and electricity to ensure their well-being,” Lopez said in Filipino.

The project features eight four-story buildings located on a 2.6-hectare site in Barangay Cutud in Angeles City.

Each building has 94 units and the project can accommodate a total of 621 families who are occupying the Philippine National Railways (PNR) right-of-way (ROW) as informal settlers.

Each complex, valued at PHP1.2 million, will include essential amenities such as a daycare center, rural health unit and elementary school to support the needs of the community.

Construction is set to start by March 2026 and is expected to be completed by April 2027.

DOTr Assistant Secretary for ROW and Site Acquisition (ROWSA) IC Calaguas and NHA’s John Bernardo conducted an inspection of the site last week. 

The project is part of a larger government effort to relocate some 2,640 informal settler families affected by the NSCR’s northern segment.

Other relation sites are planned to be built for San Fernando, Pampanga and Calumpit, Bulacan.

Pampanga 1st District Rep. Carmelo “Pogi” Lazatin Jr. and Mayor Carmelo "Jon" Lazatin II have pledged support for the initiative, ensuring swift social preparations for relocation and ROW projects in Angeles City.

PNA PHOTO