Manila: Irish Calaguas, a native of Angeles City, Pampanga, has been appointed as the new Assistant Secretary for Right of Way (ROW) Acquisition for Rail and Road at the Department of Transportation (DOTr). Calaguas took her oath of office Monday before her province mate, DOTr Secretary Vince Dizon.

According to Philippines News Agency, in April 2024, President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. signed Administrative Order 19, creating a ROW Committee tasked to study and devise an efficient and collaborative mechanism to streamline the process of land acquisition necessary for the implementation of all railway projects. The order directs the committee to coordinate the implementation of railway policies and projects, as well as craft and approve project-specific policies and programs; and identify appropriate services or programs concerning land acquisition and other ROW activities, such as livelihood, income restoration, and resettlement.

The secretaries of the DOTr and Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development lead the committee. Calaguas brings extensive leadership and administrative experience to her position, having previously served as vice president for operations of Clark International Airport Corp. She was also chief of staff and deputy director general for administration at Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency from 2017 to 2020.

Calaguas holds a degree in Mass Communication and a Master in Business Administration from New Era University, a Master of Arts in Education from the Philippine Women's University, and a Doctor of Business Administration from the Geneva Business School. She also completed executive education programs at prestigious institutions like the University of Oxford and Harvard Kennedy School of Government. She passed the Career Service Eligibility examination in 2020 and was a Senator Gerry Roxas Leadership awardee.