The Department of Transportation (DOTr) reported major strides in securing property for its flagship rail initiatives, with the Metro Manila Subway Project nearly completing its right-of-way and the North–South Commuter Railway (NSCR) north line on track to finish land procurement by mid-2026.
Transportation Secretary Giovanni Lopez said that as of December 2025, almost 91 percent of the subway project’s land has been acquired, while more than half of the NSCR north segment’s required properties have been secured, a significant jump from just 2 percent in early 2025.
Lopez described last year as a breakthrough period for land acquisition, noting that faster property procurement would allow commuters to enjoy the benefits of both the subway and NSCR sooner.
To speed up the process, the DOTr increased its land acquisition workforce from 200 to 900 personnel, handling negotiations, site clearances, and coordination with property owners.
Agency data show that the total number of secured parcels for the projects has surged to 1,143 as of December, up sharply from only 38 at the start of the year.
For the NSCR south line, Lopez reported that land for four stations has already been cleared, including EDSA, Cabuyao, Sta. Rosa in Laguna, and the Banlic depot.
The DOTr said it will continue its efforts to secure remaining properties on schedule, ensuring that construction timelines remain on track for these priority rail projects.