President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. emphasized the government’s new Arrow Act during his fifth State of the Nation Address (Sona) on Monday, aiming to expedite land acquisition for major infrastructure projects. The law is intended to streamline the process of securing right-of-way for projects like the Cebu Bus Rapid Transit (CBRT), which has faced delays due to unresolved land disputes (cebudailynews.inquirer.net).

Cebu City officials have identified land acquisition as the main obstacle preventing the CBRT from moving forward. Despite the new legislation, local authorities remain concerned about how quickly the process will unfold. Executive Secretary Ralph Recto praised the Sona as a mix of informative reporting and meaningful action, calling it “substantial, not just empty rhetoric” (newsinfo.inquirer.net).

The Arrow Act is seen as a key step toward resolving infrastructure bottlenecks, but its effectiveness will depend on how swiftly it is implemented. With the CBRT still in limbo, the president’s focus on legal reforms highlights ongoing challenges in urban development.