Lanao del sur: Stakeholders from Lanao del Sur have urged lawmakers in the Bangsamoro region to implement measures to streamline the road right-of-way (ROW) claim processes, which they believe will expedite public infrastructure projects.
According to Philippines News Agency, Masacal Johnson, a resident of Marawi City and leader of the civil society Ranaw movement for good governance, expressed concerns over the complexity of the ROW claim processes. His statement came on Tuesday, following a public hearing on a proposed bill held in Marawi City.
On Monday, regional lawmakers gathered feedback and suggestions regarding the Bangsamoro Transition Authority (BTA) Bill No. 364. The bill aims to mandate the inclusion of ROW acquisition and just compensation funds in all infrastructure projects within the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM).
The BTA, comprising 80 members, serves as the temporary legislative body of the BARMM. Jaafar Apollo Mikhail Matalam, a BTA parliament member and chairperson of the BTA Public Works Committee, highlighted the bill's objective to create a more structured process for securing private property for public use.
Matalam stated the importance of addressing land acquisition issues early in the project planning stages to prevent delays. He acknowledged the stakeholders' appeals, promising that all feedback would be carefully considered in refining the bill.
He noted that over 600 infrastructure projects in BARMM have experienced setbacks due to unresolved ROW claims, underscoring the necessity for prompt resolution of land acquisition matters.
The proposed BTA 364 legislation would allow the Bangsamoro government to obtain real property through various legal methods, including donation, negotiated sale, and expropriation, while ensuring fair compensation for affected property owners.
Officials from the Ministry of Public Works (MPW) district offices in Lanao del Sur emphasized the need for early coordination and mutual agreement between landowners, communities, and public works officials to avoid project delays.
Civil society organizations (CSOs) participating in the consultation suggested including a CSO representative on the proposed independent acquisition team in the bill. This addition aims to enhance transparency, promote community involvement, and facilitate independent oversight.
Johnson noted that having a CSO representative would help stakeholders better understand the compensation process when the BARMM government uses private property for ROW in infrastructure projects.
Matalam announced plans to continue consultations in other Bangsamoro provinces next month to gather further input from local residents.
