The local economies of Bulacan and its neighboring provinces are expected to be bolstered by the expanded 24.6-kilometer (km) Plaridel Bypass Road, according to the Japanese government, which partly funded the project through an official development assistance (ODA) loan.
The completed third phase of the Arterial Road Bypass project was inaugurated on Thursday, Oct. 10, "encouraging the development of business establishments, the creation of economic opportunities, job opportunities, and better quality of life in Central Luzon," the Philippine office of the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) said in a statement.
In a separate statement on Friday, Oct. 11, the Embassy of Japan in the Philippines said this finished road widening project will reduce traffic congestion in the area.
The Japanese Embassy noted that Plaridel Bypass Road serves as an alternative to motorists passing through the Philippine-Japan Friendship or Daang Maharlika Highway along the Bulacan municipalities of Balagtas, Bustos, Guiguinto, Plaridel and San Rafael.
It is also seen to shorten travel time alongside nearby North Luzon Expressway (NLEX) connecting Bulacan to the rest of the region.
"The average travel time between Borol, Balagtas and Maasim, San Rafael in Bulacan will be reduced from 69 minutes via Daang Maharlika Highway to 24 minutes, benefiting a total of 15,000 motorists per day," the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) said.
JICA Philippines noted that the construction of NLEX and Pan-Philippine Highway had likewise been supported by the Japanese aid agency.
The Arterial Road Bypass project jointly financed by the Japanese and Philippine governments had three phases covering road widening in the Bulacan towns of Baliuag, Guiguinto, Plaridel and Pulilan.
The P1.23-billion third phase added two lanes spanning 11.65 kms, such that the road already has four lanes since project completion last August. It also now has additional seven bridges and one flyover, alongside drainage and slope-protection features, according to Japan's Embassy.
The project's earlier two phases built two lanes finished in 2018.
JICA Philippines said its "generous" financing assistance for this project amounted to 20.213 billion Japanese yen or about P7.8 billion in the current exchange rate.
"Japan's commitment extends beyond mere financial assistance; it encompasses the sharing of advanced technology and expertise in engineering and project management, providing training and resources to local professionals, ensuring that knowledge and skills are transferred to the Filipinos," Public Works Secretary Manuel M. Bonoan was quoted by JICA Philippines as saying during the inauguration ceremony.
"Matagal na namin itong hinihintay; ngayon, nandito na. (We have been waiting for this a long time; now, it's here)," JICA Philippines quoted Bulacan Fifth District Rep. Ambrosio "Boy" C. Cruz Jr. as saying.
Besides Bonoan and Cruz, the inauguration was also attended by Bulacan Governor Daniel R. Fernando; Mayor Agatha Paula Cruz of Guiguinto, Bulacan; Second Secretary of the Embassy of Japan to the Philippines Akito Kinoshita; and JICA Philippines senior representative Keisuke Fukui.
According to JICA Philippines, it is also financing other big-ticket road and bridge construction projects in the country, including Dalton Pass East Alignment Road, Davao City Bypass, fourth Cebu-Mactan Bridge, and Road Network Development project in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM).
"There are ongoing discussions for future infrastructure projects such as the second San Juanico Bridge in Leyte and Samar, and Central Mindanao High Standard Highway," JICA Philippines added.
In recent years, the Philippines belonged to the top three beneficiary-countries of JICA's ODA globally, JICA Philippines chief representative Takema Sakamoto had said.
JICA Philippines is currently preparing more than 10 candidate-projects — mostly infrastructure — for next year.