Railway project secures titles for Pampanga landowners

2 days ago 5

LANDOWNERS affected by the Subic-Clark-Manila-Batangas (SCMB) Railway Project received land titles distributed by the Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA).

Thirty-six transfer certificates of title were given by BCDA to lot owners from Porac and Floridablanca in Pampanga to pave the way for the acquisition of right-of-way for the project that is now gain-ing headway.

It was the second batch of titles turned over by the BCDA following the initial distribution of 68 certificates in November last year.

BCDA vice president and Subic-Clark Railway Project director Jocelyn Caniones led the turnover and was joined by Pampanga Board Member Fritzie David-Dizon and Pampanga Provincial As-sessor Manuel Mendoza Jr. who both represented Gov. Dennis Pineda and Vice Gov. Lilia Pineda.

Caniones cited BCDA's contribution to the smooth implementation of the project and thanked the landowners for their cooperation.

"The SCMB Railway Project would not succeed without the support of the landowners who yielded to the railway's requirements. This development emphasizes affected landowners' important role in the realization of the Luzon Economic Corridor vision," she said.

The SCMB has a railway alignment of 26.9 kilometers in Porac and Floridablanca, affecting 519 lots in these municipalities. The BCDA has completed the negotiations with 212 lot owners, 163 of which have already received either partial or full compensation.

BCDA will continue to facilitate the right-of-way acquisition for the project as the national government is optimistic about the project's implementation.

Under Republic Act 10752 or the Right-of-Way Act, the owner of properties affected by a project and the implementing agency shall execute a deed of absolute sale, with the implementing agency facilitating the annotation of the deed of absolute sale on the TCTs. TCTs are legal documents that serve as evidence of ownership of registered land.

Speaking on behalf of the governor, Mendoza said Pampanga thanked the lot owners for their patience, cooperation, and understanding during the whole process.

"Your readiness to help has been crucial in implementing this project," he added.

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