DOTr: Families to be displaced by North-South railway project to get subsidy

Informal settler families (ISF) to be displaced by the North-South Commuter Railway project will get a rental subsidy for 18 months, the Department of Transportation (DOTr) said Tuesday.

DOTr Undersecretary Cesar Chavez made the announcement  during the agency's budget presentation of its proposed P167 billion budget for 2023 before the House appropriations panel.

"The country’s loan agreement with Asian Development Bank (ADB) provides funds for relocation, a P3,000 to P10,000 rental subsidy, and payment for structures and plants that would be removed due to the project construction," Chavez said.

Under the 2020 memorandum of agreement for the project, P63 billion will be spent for the ISF resettlement plan. At least ISFs are expected to be affected.

The P777-billion project, jointly funded by the ADB and the Japan International Cooperation Agency, is expected to be finished by 2028. It will span 148 kilometers and will be composed of three segments namely: PNR Clark Phase 1 (Tutuban-Malolos), PNR Clark Phase 2 (Malolos-Clark) and PNR Calamba (Solis-Calamba).

House appropriations panel chairperson Elizaldy Co expressed support to DOTr chief Jaime Bautista who will oversee the implementation of the project.

"It is our fervent hope that it will come to fruition under President Marcos’ leadership and under your capable hands, Sec. Jimmy,” Co said.

“A modern and efficient train system has the greatest potential to deliver our economic growth goals and international environmental commitments,” he added.—LDF, GMA News