The House of Representatives is expected to endorse for Senate approval House Bill 8958 renaming the North Luzon Expressway to Marcelo H. del Pilar Expressway or MHDPEX in honor of the country's national hero.
The bill, principally authored by Rep. Joe Antonio Sy-Alvarado of Bulacan, provides for the renaming of the NLEX as the Marcelo H. del Pilar Expressway (MHDPEX). The House approved the bill on third and final reading.
As provided for in the bill, the NLEX is the stretch of road that traverses Barangay Balintawak in Quezon City, through the cities of Caloocan and Valenzuela in Metro Manila, through the City of Meycauayan, the Municipalities of Marilao, Bocaue, Balagtas, Guiguinto, the City of Malolos, the Municipalities of Plaridel and Pulilan, all in the province of Bulacan, through the Municipality of San Simon, the City of San Fernando, the Municipality of Mexico, the City of Angeles, up to Barangay Sta. Ines in the City of Mabalacat, all in the Province of Pampanga, and which merges with MacArthur Highway and continues Northward into the rest of Central and Northern Luzon.
The Department of Public Works and Highways shall issue the necessary rules, orders, and circulars to implement the provisions of the Act.
In the explanatory note of his proposal, Sy-Alvarado said renaming the NLEX to Marcelo H. del Pilar Expressway will bestow the distinct honor on and perpetuate the memory of Del Pilar who is one of the country’s national heroes. Maricel V. Cruz
“If favorably passed into law, it will constantly remind us of the noble deeds of Marcelo H. del Pilar and inspire our people to emulate his example of selfless service to the nation, while his exceptional courage and leadership gave hope and helped unite the Filipino people at a critical time in our country’s history,” said Sy-Alvarado.
Del Pilar was born on Aug. 30, 1850 in Cupang, San Nicolas, Bulacan to Julian del Pilar and Blasa Gatmaytan. In 1882, he published the Diariong Tagalog which contained observations and criticisms about the Spanish government in the Philippines. He also became editor and co-publisher of La Solidaridad.
Sy-Alvarado said the National Historical Commission of the Philippines included in the guidelines of naming roads, schools, buildings, and other important public structures that the name to be used must have historical and cultural significance, and must contribute to the positive development of national pride through the good example exhibited by such person to which the place or structure is being named after.
Sy-Alvarado said among the previous names of NLEX were Marcelo H. del Pilar Superhighway, North Diversion Road, and Manila North Expressway. The NLEX connects Metro Manila to provinces of Central Luzon.
Built in the 1960s, the NLEX spans 84 kilometers. It is presently maintained by the Manila North Tollways Corp., a subsidiary of Metro Pacific Corp. It is one of the main road arteries of the country and used by about 280,000 motor vehicles per day.