CA affirms expropriation of land for Meycauayan communal terminal

The Court of Appeals (CA) has affirmed an expropriation order allowing Meycauayan City to acquire a 1.6-hectare property, with just compensation, for the construction of a communal terminal aimed at easing traffic congestion.

In a decision dated 15 December 2025, the CA Third Division, through Associate Justice Ruben Reynaldo Roxas, denied the petition filed by the Francia family seeking to reverse the order of expropriation earlier issued by the Malolos Regional Trial Court.

The Francia family argued that the city’s complaint for eminent domain should not have been granted, claiming there was no finding of genuine necessity to expropriate the property for the proposed terminal. They also said there was no feasibility study showing the terminal would address traffic problems and questioned the suitability of the site as a transport hub.

The CA, however, ruled that a feasibility study is not a requirement in expropriation proceedings.

The appellate court noted that Meycauayan City submitted a project profile demonstrating the viability of establishing a communal terminal at the site and found the location suitable for the project.

In its ruling, the CA said it was clear that the subject property is ideally located for a communal terminal as it is proximate to and accessible from major thoroughfares, including the North Luzon Expressway, the Malhacan–Iba–Camalig main road artery, and MacArthur Highway.

The court added that the establishment of the terminal in the area is both reasonable and practical.