Senate approves bill that will hasten acquisition of right-of-way for gov't infra projects

The Senate on Monday, June 9, 2025 approved on third and final reading Senate Bill No. 2821, otherwise known as the Accelerated and Reformed Right-of-Way (ARROW) Act, gaining 23 affirmative votes.

The ARROW Act, sponsored by Sen. Mark A. Villar, will institute reforms in the acquisition of right-of-way for infrastructure projects by the national government and by public service providers, amending Republic Act No. 10752 or the "The Right-of-Way Act".

The act shall apply to the infrastructure projects of the national government and its public service facilities, engineering works, and service contracts. As stated in the bill, private entity providing public service refers to an entity that has been granted the right of eminent domain under its franchise or other laws, and operates, manages or controls any of the following public services: (1) distribution of electricity; (2) transmission of electricity; (3) petroleum and petroleum products pipeline transmissions systems; (4) water pipeline distribution systems and wastewater pipeline systems, including sewerage pipeline systems; (5) internet connection, telecommunications, and connectivity; (6) airports; (7) seaports; (8) irrigation projects; or (9) other similar public services.

The ARROW Act also states about the Right-of-way Action Plan (RAP) where the implementing agency shall prepare a right-of-way action plan (RAP) before the acquisition of properties needed as right-of-way for an infrastructure project which shall contain the following: (a) census and profile of affected persons; (b) inventory of affected assets; (c) estimated right-of-way costs, including compensation for affected land, structures and improvements, including machinery considered as immovables under article 415 of the New Civil Code, and crops and trees to project-affected persons; (d) schedule of implementation; (e) institutional arrangements; and (f) proof of stakeholder consultations.

In acquiring right-of-way property, the appropriate price offer shall be based on the valuation system and schedule of market values established under Republic Act No. 12001, or the Real Property Valuation and Assessment Reform Act.