To accelerate the completion of major infrastructure projects under the Marcos administration’s Build Better More initiative, the Private Sector Advisory Council (PSAC) Infrastructure Sector through Sabin Aboitiz, Lead Convenor of PSAC and president and CEO of Aboitiz Equity Ventures has recommended the establishment of a Right-of-Way (ROW) Office under the Office of the President to streamline the land acquisition process.
During a meeting with President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on March 20, the council discussed challenges slowing the progress of vital infrastructure projects in the Philippines, as well as actionable recommendations to accelerate project completion and improve public services.
One of the biggest hurdles in infrastructure development is the ROW acquisition process, which is often delayed by lengthy legal disputes, court backlogs, and bureaucratic inefficiencies. Inconsistent and limited funding, coupled with poor coordination among government agencies, add to the complexity of the process.
The Chief Executive agreed on the need for a dedicated team to address Right Of Way issues, conceding this is a major cause of delay for government infrastructure projects. “The ROW Office, certainly I think that we have to do it -We have to do something as this is something that always comes up and the main reason why we are always delayed and we have added cost,” the President said.
The proposed office will work with relevant government agencies to resolve conflicts in ROW execution and assign dedicated lawyers to each priority industry, including transportation, energy, telecommunications, and water.
For consistency in funding ROW acquisition, the council recommended utilizing a portion of the Motor Vehicle Users Charge (MVUC) for land purchases and re-establishing a multi-year obligation allocation to guarantee continuous funding for ROW beyond annual budget cycles. It also urged the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) and the Public-Private Partnership (PPP) Center to align ROW budget planning with national projects to secure upfront funding, reducing reliance on post-approval budget allocations.
The President also wants a review of the proposed Right Of Way bill, which is pending in the Senate. He said the funding requirements for ROW can be included in the proposed bill. “Let’s check the legislative status and let’s see,” adding that they expect the proposed ROW bill to be passed before the end of the 19th Congress.
DOTr Secretary Vince Dizon said they have adopted out of the box solutions, including the granting of Interim Rental Subsidy to informal settlers who are affected by Right Of Way. Each identified affected family will get p7,000 a month for the next 18 months so that they can relocate and the project can push through. Secretary Dizon said within 18 months, the Housing Department and concerned local government unit, will prepare the relocation housing project for those affected.
Secretary Dizon said Interim Rental Subsidy was rolled out for the Malolos – Clark railway project, where 2,500 informal settler families in Calumpit, Bulacan as well as in Angeles and San Fernando in Pampanga will be affected.
The President wants to know how the Interim Rental Subsidy option works, “keep me updated and let’s see if we can replicate it for the other places.”
Aboitiz, who heads the Infrastructure Group Sector, underscored the importance of accelerating the completion of infrastructure projects to drive economic development and global competitiveness.
“Infrastructure is a powerful catalyst for economic growth—it creates jobs, enhances connectivity, and improves the quality of life for all Filipinos. The private sector stands ready to contribute its expertise, resources, and innovative solutions to support the government’s vision of a more resilient and progressive Philippines,” he said.
President Marcos Jr. and PSAC lead convenor Sabin Aboitiz arrive at the State Dining Room in Malacañan Palace for the PSAC Meeting on Thursday.
During the meeting, the council addressed key infrastructure concerns, including delays in the completion of the Unified Grand Central Station (UGCS)—a vital project designed to seamlessly connect Light Rail Transit Line 1 (LRT-1), Metro Rail Transit Line 3 (MRT-3), MRT-7, and the Metro Manila Subway.
To mitigate the absence of seamless connectivity between LRT-1 and MRT-3, the council proposed a temporary operational concept integrating the tracks and power systems of both lines. This initiative aims to enable a single-platform operation at the UGCS, ensuring smoother passenger transfers and improved commuter experience.
The council also examined insurance deficiencies in the logistics and supply chain sector. It noted that some carriers under the Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA) and the Philippine Ports Authority (PPA) may not fully comply with mandated insurance requirements, posing potential risks to cargo owners and passengers.
To address this issue, the council recommended stricter enforcement and monitoring of maritime insurance compliance, the implementation of mandatory biannual reporting for maritime carriers, and the launch of an awareness and capacity-building program to support smaller carriers.
These recommendations, presented by the PSAC Infrastructure Sector Group, underscore a collective commitment to modernizing the Philippines through world-class infrastructure. The council remains dedicated to collaborating with the government to drive meaningful and lasting benefits for all Filipinos.
