Modernization and adaptation: NSCR railway forces changes on Borneo, Calumpit citizens' lives

The North-South Commuter railway is a large-scale urban rail project covering 147 kilometers. It will run from New Clark City to Calamba, Laguna with 36 stations in place. The project began development in 2013, is set to start partial operations by 2025, and is expected to fully open by 2028. 

With such an ambitious project, the NSCR is set to further modernization within Luzon, helping thousands of Filipinos with cheaper and more convenient commuting, paving the way for multiple other projects to prosper as a result. However, modernization does not come easy, the railway is expected to hit private properties, as well as many informal settlers. With situations like these anticipated to happen, one might ask what would happen to these citizens living honest lives. With the project about to hit the town of Borneo, Calumpit, it brings great curiosity as to what actions are taken to make sure these citizens are promptly taken care of during these forced, abrupt changes.

Within the heart of the railway project in Borneo, at Barangay Pio Cruzcosa, parameters and borders are already being set, with construction camps, materials, and pipes all laid down around the field. 

It's a bizarre sight, seeing construction camps built so close to areas where civilians are living. Interviews were conducted to be informed of the plans set for these citizens.

Mixed reactions were met as men and women from different walks of life all expressed their concerns. On one hand, businesses like sari-sari stores, carinderias, and woodworking houses are all about to close down, leading to the loss of many livelihoods. 

While others who are optimistic about the project, expressed that their biggest concerns at the moment were how they're going to deal with construction noise. But from all the citizens interviewed, all are expecting compensation, either through financial means, or relocation.

Some are confident that they would be compensated well, but some are skeptical, thinking that there would be a chance for things to go wrong. “Alam naman natin ang gobyerno”, said by lola Josefina as she reflects on her past experiences with transportation projects. 

To bring light into these issues, an interview was set to talk with Pio Cruzcosa’s Barangay captain, Jericho Christian “JCL” Lubaton. In this interview, clarifications were given regarding the compensations given to the citizens. It was that compensations will surely be given, and will be given in accordance with the citizens' needs. “Hindi naman sila gagawa ron nang hindi pa sila nagbabayad”, JCL said, also adding that compensations have already been given to an estimated 100-150 families. He also assured that the project would fully hit the area around September to October 2024.

While waiting for the Philippine National Railways execution in the area, lola Josefina and other citizens were left uncertain because of a lack of communication with the said contractors and barangay officials.

As this railway project will open doors for new opportunities through modernization of transportation, so is the adaptation for those citizens who were affected and will be affected before, during and after the large-scale urban railway project.