THE SO-CALLED rich and famous residents of Metro Manila’s most exclusive enclave found it rather wise to grab a measly government offer than spend so much only to lose a protracted court battle.
This comes as the Corinthian Gardens Association, Inc. (CGAI), whose members include more or less 400 of Metro Manila’s rich and famous, voted to sign a “deed of easement” for the Manila Subway project to the tune of ₱222.2 million ($3.83 million) in compensation.
According to the DOTr, the 33-kilometer Manila Subway would link northern Metro Manila to the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA), with the project expected to be partially operational by 2028.
METRO SUBWAY
The Manila Subway, designed to ease traffic congestion in Metro Manila, is a flagship project of the Department of Transportation (DOTr).
Under its design, the DOTr cited the need to construct one of the 17 stations of the $9-billion Metro Manila Subway Project (MMSP) within the exclusive subdivision located at the corner of EDSA and Ortigas Avenue.
With the “deed of easement” now a done deal, the DOTr shall be utilizing five road lots and one open area for the country’s first underground rail system.
Prior to the CGAI election, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. signed Republic Act 12289 otherwise referred to as Accelerated and Reformed Right-of-Way (ARROW) Act, which amended the 2016 Right-of-Way Act.
The amendment is meant to fast-track land acquisition for critical infrastructure projects.
BETTER THAN NONE
Under the new law, the government will no longer provide cash compensation for easements, prompting Corinthian residents to act before the cutoff date.
During its special membership meeting, the CGAI secured 318 affirmative votes, with members ultimately weighing the risks of litigation against the certainty of compensation.
Taking cue from previous civil cases, litigation could last for decades, hence delaying the subway project further. Worse, they would not get a dime under the new law.
The new law that was signed by the President on September 12, streamlines acquisition processes, mandates fair compensation, and bars temporary restraining orders (TROs) from delaying government projects.
DELAYING PROJECTS
In several instances, TROs effectively sidelined public infrastructure projects for the duration of the court battle — construction of roads, bridges, railways, and even government facilities are often left unfinished due to the absence of a court decision.
Worse, lower court decisions are not final and executory in view of legal remedies — motion for reconsideration, appeal, etcetera.
According to the proponents, the ARROW Act expands coverage to public-private partnerships (PPPs), foreign-assisted initiatives, and utilities relocation.
The subway’s CP103 tunnel boring machine has already begun cutting an 850-meter segment from Camp Aguinaldo toward Ortigas, passing beneath Corinthian Hills and Corinthian Gardens at depths of 19 to 39 meters.
The initial phase would affect 69-privately owned parcels.