MANILA, Philippines — The Federation of Filipino Chinese Chambers of Commerce and Industry, Inc. (FFCCCII) urged the 19th Congress to immediately pass the proposed amendments to the Right of Way (ROW) law, calling it a crucial step toward solving the country’s worsening infrastructure bottlenecks.

In a statement, FFCCCII President Victor Lim said that systemic delays in infrastructure projects, largely due to ROW disputes, are holding back national development and undermining the Philippines’ regional competitiveness.

“The Philippine Congress must pass a strengthened Right of Way bill without delay,” Lim said. “The country’s systemic failures in infrastructure development are not mere bureaucratic inefficiencies—they represent nothing less than a national crisis of competitiveness.”

The group cited stalled mass transit projects, including the Metro Manila Subway, which has faced years-long delays due to unresolved ROW issues. It also warned that other major projects like the North-South Commuter Railway and the LRT-1 Cavite Extension face the same fate if reforms are not passed.

Lim emphasized that the proposed amendments—such as standardized land valuation, guaranteed funding for land acquisition, structured resettlement, and interim rental subsidies—are “not minor adjustments but essential reforms” that balance public interest and fairness to landowners.

“The true injustice lies in denying our people the infrastructure that drives opportunity, employment, and prosperity,” Lim added.

Drawing comparisons with countries like China, Japan, and Vietnam—where decisive ROW policies have enabled rapid infrastructure expansion—the FFCCCII said the Philippines cannot afford further inaction.

“The time for debate has passed; the time for decisive action is now,” the group stressed.