The right-of-way (ROW) acquisition for the Subic-Clark-Manila-Batangas (SCMB) Railway Project continues to make headway as the Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA) distributed another 36 Transfer Certificate of Titles (TCTs) to landowners affected by the project in Pampanga.
In a ceremony held on March 4, BCDA Vice President and Subic-Clark Railway Project Director Jocelyn L. Caniones turned over the certificates to 17 lot owners from Porac and Floridablanca. She was joined by Pampanga Board Member Fritzie David-Dizon and Provincial Assessor of Pampanga Manuel N. Mendoza Jr., who represented Pampanga Governor Dennis G. Pineda and Vice Governor Lilia G. Pineda.
Citing their contribution to the smooth implementation of the SCMB Railway Project, Caniones lauded the landowners for their cooperation, and for acknowledging the importance of this endeavor in the development of Central Luzon and the country.
“Ang SCMB Railway Project ay hindi magtatagumpay kung hindi dahil sa suporta ng mga may-ari ng lupa na nagbigay daan sa mga pangangailangan ng railway na ito. Dahil dito, ang mga landowners ay may mahalagang bahagi sa katuparan ng adhikain ng Luzon Economic Corridor,” Caniones said. “(The SCMB Railway Project would not succeed without the support of the landowners who yielded to the railway’s requirements. This development emphasizes affected landowners’ important role in the realization of the Luzon Economic Corridor vision.)”
This is the second batch of TCTs turned over by the BCDA for the SCMB Railway Project following the initial distribution of 68 certificates in November last year.
Under Republic Act 10752 or the Right-of-Way Act, the owner of properties affected by a project and the implementing agency shall execute a deed of absolute sale, with the implementing agency facilitating the annotation of the deed of absolute sale on the TCTs. TCTs are legal documents that serve as evidence of ownership of registered land.
The SCMB has a railway alignment of 26.9 kilometers in Porac and Floridablanca, affecting 519 lots in these municipalities. The BCDA has successfully completed the negotiations with 212 lot owners, 163 of which have already received either partial or full compensation.
“Ang lalawigan ng Pampanga ay lubos na nagpapasalamat sa bawat may-ari ng lote na apektado ng proyektong ito–sa inyong pasensya, kooperasyon at pang-unawa sa buong proseso. Ang inyong kahandaang makipatulungan ay naging mahalaga sa pagsasakatuparan ng proyektong ito,” said Gov. Pineda in a message delivered by Engr. Mendoza. “(The province of Pampanga sincerely thanks every lot owner affected by this project–for your patience, cooperation, and understanding during the whole process. Your readiness to help has been crucial in implementing this project.)”
As an integral part of the Luzon Economic Corridor, the 250-kilometer SCMB will provide essential connectivity and freight transport services between four major economic points in Luzon, namely the Port of Subic, Clark International Airport, Port of Manila, and Port of Batangas. This will revolutionize the country’s transport and logistics sector, as these four ports facilitate about 80 percent of the entire country’s port traffic.
The BCDA continues to facilitate the ROW acquisition for the project, as the national government remains optimistic about the project’s implementation. The feasibility study for the project will be jointly undertaken by the United States, Sweden, and the Asian Development Bank.
