Build, Build, Build

SC taps 11 courts to hasten right-of-way acquisition for infra projects

Rappler.com

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The 11 special courts in Cavite and Metro Manila are expected to hear over 900 expropriation cases in the coming months

The Supreme Court (SC) designated 11 courts to handle land expropriation cases to fast-track the implementation of the government’s Build, Build, Build infrastructure program.

The two-page memorandum circular granted Public Works Secretary Mark Villar’s June 19 letter for designated special courts handling land expropriation. The SC assigned the following regional trial courts:

  • Branch 20 and Branch 22 in Imus City, Cavite
  • Branch 23 and Branch 131 in Trece Martires City, Cavite
  • Branch 90 in Dasmariñas City, Cavite
  • Branch 133 and Branch 134 in Tagaytay City, Cavite
  • Branch 18, Branch 22, and Branch 49 in the City of Manila
  • Branch 232 in Caloocan City

Villar said there are a total of 308 cases pending before courts for the North Luzon Expressway-South Luzon Expressway Connector project and the Cavite-Laguna Expressway (CALAX).

The department is expected to file over 900 expropriation cases for the two projects in the coming months.

CALAX operator MP CALA Holdings said right-of-way (ROW) acquisition for the expressway is at 90%, as the ROW for the Cavite segment has yet to be acquired fully.

Under Republic Act No. 10752 or the Right-of-Way Act, the court should issue a writ of possession to the implementing agency “immediately” after the landowner is paid.

Despite the law, expropriation cases still move at a snail’s pace. This is often blamed for the delay in infrastructure projects. – Rappler.com

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