NIGHT OWL
Anna Mae Yu Lamentillo
The Duterte Administration will spend around P8.4 trillion (aroundUS$160-200 billion) in infrastructure projects to usher in a Golden Age of Infrastructure in the Philippines. Government spending on public infrastructure will be increased from 5.3 percent of GDP in 2017 to around 7.4 percent of GDP by 2022. This 2017, the Build Build Build team composed of Department of Finance (DOF) Sec. Sonny Dominguez, National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) Sec. Ernesto Pernia, Department of Budget and Management (DBM) Sec. Ben Diokno, Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Secretary Mark Villar, Department of Transportation (DOTr) Sec. Arthur Tugade, and Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA) President and CEO Vivencio Dizon, have doubled their efforts toward improving infrastructure development in the country, providing world-class transportation and finding bold solutions to traffic and city congestion.
This 2017, DPWH has opened key infrastructure nationwide:
- Tarlac-Pangasinan-La Union Expressway Project
The 10.10 km segment of TPLEX spanning from Binalonan to Pozorrubio, Pangasinan opened last December 6. The project shortened travel time from Manila to Baguio to only 3 hours. With the completion of the new segment, TPLEX is now a 78.39-kilometer expressway. Upon completion of the last section which will connect Pangasinan to La Union, the project would reduce travel time from Tarlac to Rosario, La Union from 3.5 Hours to just an hour, benefitting an average of 20,000 vehicles per day.
- Barkadahan Bridge
The widening of Barkadahan Bridge complements to the improvement of Laguna Lake Highway which has become an alternative route of motorists specifically those going to the eastern part of Rizal, Marikina, Quezon City, and the western part of Metro Manila including South Luzon Expressway (SLEX) and Ninoy Aquino International Airport in Pasay City. With the additional one (1) lane each in both the east and west direction, travel time from Barkadahan Bridge to SLEX is now shortened from one (1) hour to only 30 minutes
- Quezon Avenue Road and Flood Control Project
From the existing four (4) lanes, a portion of Quezon Avenue has been widened to six (6) lanes. Aside from traffic decongestion, the road has a reinforced concrete box culvert (RCBC) component to mitigate flooding in the area. The new drainage system will particularly increase the capacity of Tanque Creek by 112 percent as it now measures 5.3 meters by 3 meters. This is far bigger than the previous 3 meters by 2.5 meters box culvert along the road
- Cagayan De Oro Coastal Road
After 20 years, Department of Public Works and Highways has finally opened the Cagayan de Oro Coastal Road, a project which has started in 1997. The Construction of the 12.77 KM Cagayan de Oro Coastal Road will serve as a bypass road starting from Brgy. Gusa in the eastern side all the way to the western side in Brgy. Igpit, Opol in Misamis Oriental, thus connecting six (6) barangays in the city and two (2) barangays in Opol. The project will reduce travel time from Laguindingan Airport to city proper to 20 minutes.
- Laguna Lake Highway
Laguna Lake Expressway is the the first highway in the Philippines to have a 3-meters wide space for bikers and joggers. The DPWH has completed the construction of an additional 1.3 kilometer to further expand length of newly paved Laguna Lake Highway to 4.5 kilometers. The Phase III which is expected to be finish by August of 2018 expands the road network by 4.3 km.
- Governor Miranda Bridge in Davao Del Norte
Located along Daang Maharlika that has an average daily traffic of over 26,000, Governor Miranda Bridge II serves as the main access of motorists from Davao City going to other parts of Davao Region and vice versa. It also connects the Municipality of Carmen and the City of Tagum in Davao del Norte. The new bridge, which spans 650 meters, is seen to provide inter-regional linkage without hampering flow of traffic even during flooding occurrences in low-lying areas, thus encourage growth in investment and tourism.
- Radial Road 10
After six administrations, the road traversing the old Smokey Mountain area congested by informal settlers is now a high capacity highway helping offset the usual heavy volume of vehicles in major highways like EDSA and C5.The 9.7 kilometers R-10 stretching from Delpan Bridge, Tondo, Manila to the mouth of the Malabon River at Bangkulasi Bridge, C-4 Road in Navotas City may now be used as an alternate route to EDSA and C5 for motorists travelling from Quezon City to Manila and Pasay.
- Access Road to Vayang Rolling Hills in Batanes
Visiting the famed Vayang Rolling Hills is now easier with completed road upgrading project leading to the island’s favorite tourist spot.
- NAIA Expressway
The P20.45-billion NAIA Expressway Project is a four-lane, 12.65-kilometer elevated expressway (including ramps) and 2.22-kilometer at-grade road traversing Sales Avenue, Andrews Avenue, Parañaque River, MIAA Road and Diosdado Macapagal Boulevard. The project is benefitting 80,000 travellers per day and has reduced travel time from SLEX to NAIA from 1 hour to 20 minutes. The project, which is composed of a total of 17 off and on ramps, connects NAIA Terminals 1, 2 and 3 to Cavitex, Skyway, and Entertainment City.
- Runway Manila
RunWay Manila is a 220 meters long bridge designed to accommodate up to 2,000 persons at any time, or up to 216,000 individuals per day. The bridge is is an enclosed, air-conditioned bridge, with pedestrian-friendly facilities such as moving walkways and elevators, RunWay Manila is for the benefit and free use of the public, particularly tourists, who may want safe and convenient alternatives to reach various parts of the metropolis.