The Court of Appeals (CA) has upheld an order allowing the city government of Meycauayan to acquire a 1.6-hectare lot for the construction of a communal terminal aimed at easing traffic congestion.
In a decision dated 15 December 2025, the CA’s Third Division, through Associate Justice Ruben Reynaldo Roxas, denied a petition filed by the Francia family seeking to overturn the expropriation order 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 genuine necessity to take over the property for the proposed terminal.
They also questioned the lack of a feasibility study proving that the project would solve traffic problems and said the location was not ideal for a transport hub.
The appellate court, however, ruled that a feasibility study is not a requirement in expropriation proceedings.
It noted that Meycauayan presented a project profile showing the viability of building a communal terminal on the site and found the location suitable for the project.
In its ruling, the CA said the property is ideally located for a communal terminal because it is close to and easily accessible from major thoroughfares, including the North Expressway, the Malhacan–Iba–Camalig main road, and MacArthur Highway.
Given its strategic location, the court said establishing a communal terminal on the property is both reasonable and practical.