The Vision - Rail Linkage Project
The Rail Linkage Project is envisioned to be the key to the development of Central and Southern Luzon. It was conceived to restore, rehabilitate and modernize the existing lines of the Philippine National Railways (PNR), and provide effective and efficient means of transportation to and from Metro Manila and the provinces of Northern and Southern Luzon. The project shall spur economic growth and substantially improve the existing PNR tracks, facilities and infrastructure along the tracks.

Northrail and Southrail
The Rail Linkage Project comprises two major systems: the North Luzon Railway System Project or Northrail (Northline) and the South Luzon Railway System Project or Southrail (Southline). The North Luzon Railway System Project or Northrail shall provide fast and reliable mass transit system from Caloocan City to Clark and the provinces of Central and Northern Luzon at an approximate distance of 80.291 kilometers. The South Luzon Railway System Project or Southrail shall run from Caloocan City, Metro Manila to Calamba, Laguna at an approximate distance of 65.90 kilometers.

Legal Basis
Prior to rehabilitation of the railway system, clearing the PNR rights-of-way of informal settler families need to be undertaken. The government under President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo issued Memorandum Order No. 46 on December 10, 2001, directing the Housing and Urban Development Coordinating Council (HUDCC) to relocate and provide housing sites for informal dwellers that would be affected by the PNR rehabilitation and modernization program. The President called upon all government agencies and entities to provide the necessary support and assistance to hasten the relocation of informal settlers.

HUDCC likewise issued Memorandum Order No. 4 on March 13, 2002 identifying the National Housing Authority (NHA) as the lead agency under its control and supervision, in overseeing the relocation and resettlement of informal occupants within the PNR rights-of-way.

President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo authorized the Vice President and concurrent Chairman of the Housing and Urban Development Coordinating Council (HUDCC) ‘Kabayan’ Noli L. de Castro to perform all the powers and functions necessary to implement the resettlement and relocation programs to clear the rail rights-of-way of the Philippine National Railways lines under Administrative Order No. 111 dated November 8, 2004.

Objectives

• To clear the rail rights-of-way of the Philippine National Railways lines.
• To relocate all informal occupants affected by the Northrail Development Project.

The Local Inter-Agency Committee (LIAC) is created in every affected city or municipality to ensure delivery of all needed basic services and programs to qualified beneficiaries.

Chairman
City or Municipal Mayor

Members

National Government Agencies (NGAs)
HUDCC      CHR
NHA            NLRC
PNR            PCUP

Local Government Units (LGUs)
Social Welfare      Barangay Chairman
Planning                Barangay Affairs
Engineering          Provincial Government
Urban Poor Affairs
Philippine National Police (PNP)

Non-Government Organizations (NGOs)
People’s Organizations (POs)
Accredited/Registered Organizations
Other Private Groups