President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. lauded the North Luzon Expressway (NLEX) Connector from Caloocan to España, saying the project, once completed, will contribute to the further ease of movement in Metro Manila and nearby areas.

Marcos said this as he inaugurated the first section of the P23-billion NLEX Connector on Monday, March 27.

In his speech, the President described the "much-awaited" project as an "infrastructure milestone," saying it fulfills a lifelong dream.

"Manila to Caloocan will be five minutes. Sa buong buhay natin never pa natin nakita yung five minutes na galing Caloocan hanngang Maynila (All our lives we haven't seen a travel from Caloocan to Manila in just five minutes)," he said.

"Baka ang ating pangarap ay matupad na (Perhaps our dream will now be a reality)," he added.

The first section of the NLEX Connector is a five-kilometer elevated expressway that will pass through urbanized areas, including C3 Road/5th Avenue, Blumentritt, and España in Manila. It is expected to ease traffic along España Boulevard, Abad Santos Avenue, Rizal Avenue, and Lacson Avenue and provide easier access to several areas, including the University Belt.

With the entry and exit ramps at C3 Road and España, the new elevated expressway will reduce travel time to and from Caloocan and Manila to five minutes.

"This is indeed another achievement and undoubtedly will significantly improve the mobility of people, of goods, of service, not only within Metro Manila but also within its environs," Marcos said.

In its entirety, the NLEX Connector stretches eight kilometers from Caloocan to the vicinity of the Polytechnic University of the Philippines (PUP) in Sta. Mesa, Manila. Once fully operational, it will serve around 35,000 vehicles daily.

According to the President, the project would significantly contribute to the more effortless movement of cargo and goods, particularly those coming from the Port of Manila.

"It will provide great relief to the logistics sector since there will be an alternative route for truckers who wish to avoid the congestion in the main road within the metropolis," he said.

"Ultimately, the positive effects of this project will speed up mobility and transactions and will spur economic productivity of the country," he added.

At the inauguration of the first section of the NLEX Connector from Caloocan to España, President Marcos said the project, once completed, would be a "dream come true," citing a five-minute travel time from Manila to Caloocan. (RTVM Screenshot) @manilabulletin pic.twitter.com/bZq90QUoey

— Argyll Cyrus Geducos (@argyllcyrus_MB) March 27, 2023

Commitment

Marcos said the opening of the NLEX Connector sustains the momentum started by the Duterte administration in terms of infrastructure development.

"We will continue and complete these projects as efficiently as we can, crucial as they are in achieving our national development goals," he said.

"Under the Build Better More program, we will continue to push for the interconnectivity of major roads and expressways, as well as build even more roads and bridges in strategic places within the archipelago," he added.

The President said the government would not stop with the NLEX Connector.

"We will not stop here. We will continue to develop a highly interconnected road network that will facilitate our country's rapid, inclusive, and sustained economic growth," he said.

Private sector partners

Meanwhile, President Marcos thanked the government's private-sector partners for making the project possible.

He asked them to remain steadfast in their desire to assist and collaborate with the government in improving the country's infrastructure landscape.

"Notwithstanding the pandemic, the MVP Group has still managed to work their way through to bring us where we are today," Marcos said.

"It is true that synergy between the government and the private sector will always be a defining factor in the overall development of the country," he added.

President Marcos encouraged the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) and its private sector partners to ensure the project would be completed on time.

"Try very hard, as we all do, to stay within the target time frame," he said.

"Although your success rate in this regard is exemplary, avoid unnecessary delays and finish the project as scheduled so that the Filipino people will reap the benefits as soon as possible," he added.