Implement stricter road right of way–DPWH 11

The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Regional Office XI is in full swing in the implementation of a stricter road right of way (RROW) project for the rest of the year.
DPWH 11 said it continues to widen and open certain roads and if it happens to hit a titled lot they will negotiate with land owners.
Most of the DPWH 11 projects were set for bidding last year from November to December but one common cause of delay for road projects is the RROW acquisition.
In an interview by Edge Davao, Dennis Flores, DPWH information officer said, RROW has been practiced since DPWH started its operations but the implementation is not that strict.
He added that most of the previously acquired RROW are now being occupied by illegal settlers or that structures have been constructed in what is already determined as government property.
“In a case of a private owned land, if we will need some part of their lands, we will be negotiating with them,” he said, adding that if the land owner doesn’t cooperate, the government will expropriate the land.
“After we have the conversation with the owner, DPWH will deposit the money as payment to the land that we needed thru Landbank and it’s up to them if they will accept the money or not,” Flores explained.
Flores added that DPWH director Mariano R. Alquiza met with District Engineers and Construction Engineers to make sure that negotiation of RROW is given priority for projects to proceed smoothly and that the project will gain a higher degree of social acceptability.
“DPWH does not negotiate brutally; instead, we undergo due process to avoid causing trouble with the owners,” he explained.
Flores also bared that some of the private land owners sue them because of the guidelines that DPWH follows.
“In Davao we haven’t experienced much, but some parts of Region 11 has a lot,” he said.
The DPWH XI is currently undertaking major road projects in the Island Garden City of Samal in partnership with the DOT and road widening activities along Davao-Agusan, Davao-Cotabato, Digos-Makar, Davao-Surigao Coastal Road, Davao-Bukidnon, CP Garcia Highway (Davao Diversion Road) and the Digos-Malita-Jose Abad Santos Road.