The Department of Transportation (DOTr) has acquired right-of-way (ROW) access for six key sites in Bulacan and Pampanga, marking a major step toward completing the North-South Commuter Railway (NSCR) project. The cleared areas include Clark International Airport, SM Clark, and barangays in Angeles, San Fernando, Apalit, and Calumpit.
The agency confirmed that ROW acquisitions for the northern segment — from Malolos to Clark — are expected to be finalized by mid-2026, while the Malolos station is nearing completion. For the southern section, the DOTr aims to secure ROW for nine stations across Laguna, Makati, Parañaque, Taguig, and Manila by December 2025, with utility relocation in the Banlic Depot area already 98% complete.
Despite earlier delays due to ROW challenges, the 190 km NSCR remains a national priority project designed to link Clark International Airport with Calamba, Laguna, reducing travel time between Manila and Clark Airport to just 45 minutes upon full completion by 2032. The government plans to commence partial operations by 2026, improving mobility and connectivity across Luzon.