Photo Courtesy of DPWH / PIA
New ARROW Act aims to cut delays, reduce costs, and speed up delivery of public services
MANILA — A new law streamlining the acquisition of land for infrastructure projects is expected to accelerate construction timelines and improve access to basic services, government officials and industry groups said this week.
Marcos signs ARROW Act
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on September 12 signed Republic Act 12289, known as the Accelerated and Reformed Right-of-Way (ARROW) Act. The measure amends the two-decade-old Right-of-Way Act and expands its scope to cover not only national government projects but also government-owned corporations and private utilities such as power, water, telecommunications, seaports, airports, and irrigation systems granted the power of eminent domain.
Officials described the law as a long-needed fix to one of the country’s most persistent bottlenecks. Disputes over land ownership, overlapping claims, and compensation issues have delayed projects like the Metro Manila Subway and major road expansions, leading to higher costs and extended inconvenience for commuters and businesses.
Clearing a major bottleneck
Right-of-way disputes have long stalled roads, railways, flood-control systems, and utility projects. By cutting delays and ensuring fair compensation, the ARROW Act is expected to lower costs, attract investors, and bring projects to completion faster.
For ordinary citizens, this means fewer unfinished roadworks that snarl traffic, quicker access to flood-control structures that can protect homes during heavy rains, and faster rollout of utilities such as water pipelines, broadband cables, and power lines.
Addressing delays and costs
“This law provides a clear framework for valuing property and ensures fair and timely compensation,” the Department of Transportation said in a statement, noting that overlapping land claims and court disputes had derailed past projects.
Independent audits and congressional hearings have flagged right-of-way problems as a top cause of stalled infrastructure. Delays not only raise costs but also erode public trust, with citizens often left waiting years for promised improvements.
Investor confidence and economic benefits
Business groups welcomed the new law, saying it strengthens the Philippines’ investment climate. Predictable rules for land acquisition reduce uncertainty for private partners and lenders involved in public-private partnership projects.
Economists stressed the broader impact: smoother roads and railways cut travel time and fuel costs, reliable power and water services lower household expenses, and expanded digital networks improve access to education and jobs.
Safeguards and challenges ahead
The government emphasized that safeguards remain in place. The law requires transparency in compensation, closer coordination with local governments, and faster dispute resolution to prevent fresh bottlenecks.
Observers, however, warned that the true test lies in implementation. “The challenge is not in the law itself but in how consistently it will be applied,” one infrastructure policy analyst said, noting that landowners remain wary of undervaluation or delayed payments.
A promise of visible benefits
The ARROW Act is a key part of the Marcos administration’s Build Better More program, which aims to complete dozens of flagship projects over the next five years. Officials said the reform will help ensure that projects designed to ease traffic congestion, expand digital connectivity, and strengthen flood-control systems can move ahead more quickly.
