"Two major infrastructure projects have lately been proposed to the government."
The COVID-19 pandemic has put the economy in a stupor. It paralyzed the transportation sector, shut down many factories and offices and rendered millions of Filipinos jobless.
But the economy cannot go forever in limbo while awaiting the vaccine that will effectively neutralize the virus. The economy has to reopen, as it did in the last four months, and find a way to rebound and rehire jobless workers. The government and the private sector must lead the recovery efforts to sustain past economic gains.
Building more infrastructure projects holds the key to sustain the economic progress. The nation needs more roads, rail networks, modern airports and seaports, post-harvest facilities and bridges to speed up the transportation of commuters and goods, and link the producers in the provinces to the urban market. These infrastructure projects also directly create hundreds of thousands of jobs while in their construction stage.
Two major infrastructure projects have lately been proposed to the government. Its proponent called them game changers because of their significant impact on metro traffic and on providing strategic linkage to the southern end of Luzon. The two projects, costing a combined P122 billion, are what economic development is all about.
Conglomerate San Miguel Corp. is pursuing the construction of the 420-kilometer South Luzon Expressway Tollroad 5 that will connect Quezon province and the Bicol region and the 19.40-km. Pasig River Expressway that will link the eastern and western sides of Metro Manila.
The South Luzon Expressway Toll Road 5 is a 420-km., four-lane expressway starting from SLEX TR4 in Barangay Mayao, Lucena City in Quezon province, and ending at the Matnog Ferry Terminal in Sorsogon. The Pasig River Expressway, on the other hand, is a 19.40-kilometer, six-lane, elevated expressway traversing the entirety of the Pasig River. It will start from Radial Road 10 in Manila and end at a connection of the South East Metro Manila Expressway at Circumferential Road 6.
The two projects are certain to give quick relief to Filipino laborers who lost their jobs during the pandemic, and lift the construction industry. More importantly, they will boost economic livelihood in host and other local communities.
By the time the pandemic is over, the Philippines will have a more robust economy and a solid consumer base with a stronger purchasing power.
