Manila, Sept. 20 -- The national government plans to spend up to PHP27.4 billion next year on right-of-way (ROW) acquisitions to pave the way for new public infrastructure projects under President Rodrigo Duterte's "Build, Build, Build" program, Deputy Speaker and Surigao del Sur Rep. Johnny Pimentel said on Sunday.
Based on the proposed National Expenditure Program for 2021, Pimentel said the Department of Transportation (DOTr) and the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) plan to spend PHP14.8 billion and PHP12.6 billion, respectively, on ROW acquisitions.
"The DOTr's ROW outlay is meant to set in motion new rail and maritime transport projects, including the North-South Commuter Railway, the Philippine National Railways' South...