Mark Villar sees Tarlac benefitting from key infra programs in coming years

By: Dennis Gutierrez - 3 years ago

Central Luzon Link Expressway

MANILA, Philippines — Former Public Works Secretary Mark Villar believes Tarlac will be among the provinces to benefit the most from the government’s “Build, Build, Build” program within five years of a complete turnaround in infrastructure investments.

He said the agency was able to push through with its projects in the province despite the COVID-19 pandemic.

“The DPWH has been working 24/7, even in the face of this pandemic to finish all projects committed under the Build, Build, Build program, patuloy po tayong nakasuporta sa pag gawa ng mga infrastructure projects sa Tarlac upang makatulog sa ating mga kababayan,” Villar said in a statement.

Among the important infrastructure projects laid down in Tarlac is the Central Luzon Link Expressway (CLLEX) with funding assistance from the Government of Japan thru the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) in support of the Build, Build, Build program.

Upon full completion of the entire alignment, CLLEX Phase 1 will cut travel time between Tarlac City and Cabanatuan City from 70 minutes to just 20 minutes. Around 11,200 motorists and commuters would stand to benefit from the project daily.

Tarlac-Pangasinan-La Union Expressway

Another notable project in Tarlac is the Tarlac-Pangasinan-La Union Expressway (TPLEX). The 78.39-km expressway that connects the provinces of Tarlac and Pangasinan will 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.

The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) also set up two access roads leading to the New Clark City (NCC) in Capas, Tarlac.

The 4-lane New Clark City to Tarlac-Zambales Road with 2 bridge components with a total length of 6.40-km will be connected to the completed 6.22-kilometer Mac Arthur Highway to New Clark City via Kalangitan Access Road – forming a continuous road network providing motorists a faster, shorter, and more convenient travel.

Villar also reported that the proposed road widening and construction of drainage along the MacArthur Highway to NCC is already completed while the construction of its reinforced concrete bridge in replacement of the temporary steel bridges is on-going and scheduled to be completed this year.

“Sa mga proyektong ito, ang mga kababayan natin ay makakabiyahe na ng mas maikling oras at madaragdagan ang kanilang access sa mga serbisyong panlipunan at mas mabilis na transportasyon ng mga lokal na produkto,” said Villar.

“It is also expected to generate job opportunities na makakatulong sa buhay ng mamamayang Pilipino.”