PBBM signs right-of-way law to speed up infra projects

President Marcos has signed into law Republic Act No. 12289, or the Accelerated and Reformed Right-of-Way (ARROW) Act, introducing sweeping reforms to speed up the acquisition of property for infrastructure projects while ensuring just compensation for landowners.

- By ARGYLL CYRUS GEDUCOS

The measure, signed on Sept. 12, amends RA No. 10752, or the Right-of-Way Act, to remove bottlenecks that have long delayed major public works and public service facilities.

Under the new law, right-of-way acquisition applies not only to national government projects, but also to those of government-owned and -controlled corporations (GOCCs) and private entities providing public services such as electricity, water, telecommunications, airports, seaports, and irrigation.

Local government units may also adopt the law for their own infrastructure initiatives.

Property can be acquired through donation, negotiated sale, expropriation, or other legal means. For negotiated sales, compensation must reflect the market value of the land, the replacement cost of improvements, and the value of crops or trees.

Payment will be released in stages: 50 percent for land and 70 percent for improvements upfront, with the balance paid once the property is cleared.