A section of the P5.26-billion Arterial Road Bypass Project (ARBP). (Photo from the Department of Public Works and Highways)
MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) opened to motorists on Monday two westbound lanes of the P5.26-billion Arterial Road Bypass Project (ARBP) in San Jose, Bulacan.
The opened section — which aims to reduce travel time from Balagtas to San Rafael from about one hour to just 24 minutes — stretches for 7.64 kilometers and includes a 36.86-meter single-span bridge and a 318-meter flyover, according to a statement issued on Monday by the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH)
The entire ARBP covers a total of 24.61 kilometers running through five Bulacan towns — Balagtas, Guiguinto, Plaridel, Bustos, and San Rafael — and involves expanding the existing two-lane road of the Plaridel Bypass into four lanes to ease traffic congestion.
It was funded by a loan agreement with the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA).
The project is “a call to action and a call to work towards a more progressive Philippines,” President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. said in a speech read at the opening by Special Assistant to the President Antonio Ernesto Floirendo Lagdameo Jr.
“This project is an important step towards the realization of our dream of a better Philippines that is filled with hope, brimming with optimism, and teeming with boundless opportunities,” Marcos said.
According to Marcos, the project will ease the movement of both people and agricultural products and services, which will attract more investments, create more employment opportunities, and start a positive cycle of development in Bulacan.
Marcos gave his assurance that his administration would remain committed to completing the ARBP Phase 3 by March 2024.
He also ordered the DPWH to ensure the timely completion of all major projects, particularly those outside Metro Manila, to bolster regional development.
He said that there were a total of 197 Infrastructure Flagship Projects, which include transportation connectivity projects, in various stages of development under the administration’s Build Better, More Program.
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DPWH Secretary Manuel Bonoan led the inauguration of the road bypass project, which was attended by JICA chief representative Takema Sakamoto, DPWH Senior Undersecretary Emil K. Sadain, Bulacan 3rd District Representative Lorna C. Silverio, Bulacan Vice Governor Alexis C. Castro, Bustos Mayor Francis Albert Juan, San Rafael Mayor Mark Cholo I. Violago, and other DPWH and local officials.