RoW, 99-year lease bills named PHL legislative priorities

THE GOVERNMENT has designated as priority measures bills on right-of-way (RoW), extended investor leases, and the mining fiscal regime, according to Secretary Frederick D. Go, the Special Assistant to the President for Investment and Economic Affairs.

- By Luisa Maria Jacinta C. Jocson Senior Reporter

“What are the future priorities of this administration, at least those that fall under my space? One is the right-of-way bill,” Mr. Go said in his keynote address at the BusinessWorld Economic Forum on Thursday.

He said infrastructure projects are often delayed because of right-of-way issues.

“Thankfully, the Transportation Secretary is now prioritizing the acquisition of right-of-way before starting the projects. I think that’s really the right sequence, the right way to undertake an infrastructure project.”

The proposed Accelerated and Reformed Right-of-Way (ARROW) Act is currently awaiting second reading at the Senate.

It seeks to amend Republic Act No. 10752 or the Right-of-Way Act to “facilitate the easier acquisition of right-of-way sites or locations for private infrastructure projects for public use to ensure a more efficient delivery of public services,” according to the bill.

“We have assurances from the legislature that the right-of-way bill is a priority bill and it will be passed in this 19^th Congress,” Mr. Go added.

“It’s a very important bill for us to really push infrastructure projects forward. Infrastructure is not just roads, not just rails. It also includes necessary infrastructure like power, water, etc.”

The government is planning to allocate 5-6% of gross domestic product (GDP) to infrastructure spending.

President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. has said that right-of-way issues have hindered flagship infrastructure projects.