CITY OF SAN FERNANDO – A total of 68 Transfer Certificate of Titles (TCTs) were handed out recently to landowners affected by the Subic-Clark-Manila-Batangas (SCMB) railway project.
In ceremonies held at the Benigno Aquino Hall at the Capitol grounds here, Richard Brian M. Cepe, OIC-SVP of the Bases Conversion and Development Authority, commended the landowners from the towns of Porac and Floridablanca as “partners for development” for sharing their property for the implementation of the SCMB railway project, formerly known as the Subic-Clark Railway Project.
“Isa sa mga pinakamalaking hamon sa pamahalaan ay ang pagseguro ng tinatawag nating right-of-way, kaya napakalaking tulong po na kayo ay handang magpaubaya at makipagtulungan upang mabilis na maisakatuparan ang proyektong ito,” Cepe told the landowners, citing BCDA’s experience in building the Subic-Clark-Tarlac Expressway (SCTEx) where the cooperation of the project-affected landowners paved the way for the speedy completion of the project.
Cepe noted that the SCMB railway is part of the Marcos’ administration’s “Build, Better, More” infrastructure program. The national government aims to develop the Luzon Economic Corridor to generate more economic opportunities with the assistance of the US and Japan.
“Sa pamamagitan ng tren na ito, ating pag-uugnayin ang apat na sentrong pang-ekonomiya, mula sa pantalan ng Subic, sa paliparan ng Clark, hanggang sa mga pantalan ng Maynila at Batangas. Napakalaking bagay po nito upang mapabilis ang komersiyo at daloy ng mga produkto at serbisyo. Sa ganitong paraan, mas makakahikayat tayo ng maraming namumuhunan sa ating bansa,” he furthered, expressing thanks also to Gov. Dennis “Delta” Pineda and Vice Gov. Lilia “Nanay” Pineda for their support to the project and for soliciting the cooperation of the Kapampangans.
In a brief message read for her by Pampanga 2nd District board member Fritzie David-Dizon, the vice governor said: “[The handing out of the] TCTs is a symbol of our commitment to ensuring that the rights of our citizens are protected and respected. As these certificates will be turned over, we recognize the challenges that our lot owners have faced and we acknowledge the patience and resilience they have shown. We also recognize the importance of this project in driving economic growth and development in our province.”
In response to the efforts of BCDA and the provincial government, chairman Randy Guevarra of Barangay Calantas, Floridablanca said that they support the project with utmost trust that it will bring more economic activities in Pampanga.
“Ang amin pong mga ka-barangay ay buong-pusong nakipagtulungan sa ating gobyerno dahil alam namin na magbibigay ito pakinabang sa mga kabayanan dito. Nagpapasalamat din po kami kina Gov. Dennis Pineda at kay Vice Gov. Nanay Baby sa kanilang malasakit sa Pampanga at sa aming mga kabalen,” he said. Punto News Team/BCDA Public Affairs
