P12-billion circumferential road to hasten Pampanga development

San Fernando, Pampanga—The four congressmen of Pampanga and Gov. Dennis Pineda are working together for the immediate completion of the ongoing P12-billion circumferential road that will turn the province into “a mecca of development” after the coronavirus pandemic.

Pineda is working closely with 1st District Rep. Carmelo B. Lazatin ll, 2nd District Rep. Juan Miguel M. Arroyo, 3rd District Rep. Aurelio D. Gonzales, and 4th District Rep. Juan Pablo Bondoc, along with Vice Gov. Lilia Pineda and former President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo as advisers.

Bondoc said an initial P3 billion was already released for the project last year, but they are working on an additional release for its immediate completion and to spur the growth of the province.

“We are working closely with the national government for the release of the remaining funding for the completion of the project,” he said.

The road will accelerate the growth and progress of the 19 municipalities of the province, Bondoc said.

During an interview with local reporters, he said the initial of P3 billion was spent on the construction of municipal, provincial and national roads along the MacArthur Highway in the municipalities of Minalin, Guagua, Bacolor, Sto. Tomas and Lubao. Romeo Dizon

The road improvement of these western towns will lead to the opening of the North Luzon Interchange of the North Luzon Expressway (NLEX) in the town of Sto. Tomas, Bondoc said.

With the new NLEX exit, Bondoc said commuters going to Zambales and Bataan can now experience easy travel because they can now skip the heavily traffic in the city of San Fernando.

Talks will be held this month with the officials of the Tollways Regulatory Board (TRB) and NLEX for the immediate opening of the interchange, Bondoc said.

Upon the approval of the interchange, the construction of roads will continue in the eastern towns of Mexico, Sta. Ana, San Luis, Arayat Candaba, and Magalang, up to Clark Freeport.

Bondoc said these “unity projects” have allowed the leaders to concentrate on the development of new Pampanga, to generate more employment and assist those affected by the coronavirus.

Upon its completion, the project will allow people to reach their destination quicker, and those going to Clark International Airport from anywhere in the province will do so within 45 minutes, Bondoc said. Goods will also be delivered on time, as the road bypasses the cities of Angeles and Mabalacat, respectively.

With its strategic location supported by well-paved roads and an international airport, Pampanga will be the center of growth and development like Calabarzon in Southern Tagalog, the lawmaker said.

The governor and solons are also planning to establish an economic zone, improve the industrial sites of the municipalities of Mexico and San Simon, agriculture in the third district, and the marine and fishing industry along the coastal towns of Lubao, Guagua, Apalit, Minalin, Macabebe, and Masantol. Romeo Dizon