The Japanese government has welcomed the opening of the Arterial Road Bypass Project (ARBP) or Plaridel Bypass Project Phase III in Bulacan that is expected to alleviate traffic congestion and boost economic activities in the region amid the COVID-19 (coronavirus disease 2019) pandemic.
Funded by the Overseas Development Assistance under the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), the Y9.399 billion project is the third phase of a road project bypassing the Philippine-Japan Friendship Highway that also covered the construction of two additional lanes of the Angat Bridge and widening of underpass, drainage, and other related works.
Japan Embassy Minister for Economic Affairs Nakata Masahiro and Public Works and Highways Undersecretary Emil Sadain led the opening of the 2.2-kilometer widened portion of the Plaridel Bypass Road on Friday, July 9, 2021.
Plaridel Bypass is a new alternative route traversing the municipalities of Balagtas, Guiguinto, Plaridel, Bustos and San Rafael in Bulacan.
“Transportation infrastructure plays an important role in the economic recovery of the Philippines from the pandemic encouraging much-needed investments and jobs,” said JICA Philippines Chief Representative Azukizawa Eigo, adding that JICA is pleased to have shared Japanese skills and know-how in the construction of the road projects.
With the previous completion of the first two lanes of Plaridel Bypass, it shortened the travel time to and from North Luzon Expressway via a new interchange in Barangay Burol, Balagtas to the Philippines-Japan Friendship Highway in Barangay Maasim, San Rafael, Bulacan to just 30 minutes.
According to JICA, ARBP III will help divert some 15,000 vehicles from Philippine-Japan Friendship Highway and help ensure that agricultural products and other commodities from Central Luzon reach other areas.
The entire ARBP stretches over 24.61 kilometers, of which the first two phases were completed in 2012 and 2018. The third phase is composed of three flyovers, 10 bridges, and additional lanes.
The JICA official said transportation infrastructure can help sustain Philippine economic growth and improve the delivery of social services in the long-term as they also support the improvement, maintenance as well as capacity building to ensure quality infrastructure building.
From 1974 to 2019, JICA has already allocated some Y466 billion of ODA to building Philippine roads and bridges.
JICA is also supporting eight other roads and bridges projects under the Philippines’ Build Build Build agenda, namely Road Upgrading and Preservation Project, Central Luzon Link Expressway Project, Metro Manila Interchange Construction Project Phase VI, Metro Manila Priority Bridges Seismic Improvement Project, Davao City Bypass Construction Project, Programme for the Support for Rehabilitation and Reconstruction of Marawi City and its Surrounding Areas, Road Network Development Project in Conflict-Affected Areas in Mindanao, and Cebu-Mactan Bridge (4th Bridge) and Coastal Road Construction Road Project.