Transportation Secretary Vince Dizon on Friday outlined major infrastructure projects aimed at addressing severe traffic congestion in the country, including a proposed ₱120-billion elevated road network connecting Balintawak in Quezon City to Bocaue, Bulacan.
The planned highway, which will run above the existing North Luzon Expressway (NLEX), is envisioned as an extension of the Skyway system to improve traffic flow along the northern route, particularly for motorists traveling to and from northern provinces.
Dizon said the project is being developed in collaboration with businessman Manny Pangilinan, chairman of the MVP Group of Companies, and San Miguel Corporation president and chief executive officer Ramon Ang.
“Itong planong ito no na napakalaki at napakagandang development po para sa ating bansa lalo na para sa mga ah kababayan natin na umuuwi ng Norte, magtatayo [nililinis ang lalamunan] po ng elevated highway, parang kadugtong po ng Skyway. Kadugtong [nililinis ang lalamunan] po yan ng Skyway, dire-diretso po yan mula Balintawak dire-diretso hanggang Bocaue, nakapatong sa [NLEX],” Dizon said during an interview on DZRH’s Dos Por Dos.
Construction is expected to begin next year, with the transportation chief saying implementation could be expedited due to fewer right-of-way concerns.
Aside from the elevated highway, Dizon also cited improvements to road connectivity, including the proposed Mindanao Avenue-Quirino Highway link, as part of efforts to address traffic bottlenecks.
He also discussed measures to accelerate right-of-way acquisition through new legal mechanisms to facilitate the implementation of major infrastructure projects.
As part of these efforts, the government is also looking into the relocation of informal settler families affected by infrastructure developments, including the provision of rental subsidies to help them secure temporary housing.
Meanwhile, Dizon said the government is exploring public-private partnerships (PPPs) to modernize the maintenance of public transportation facilities without increasing fares for commuters.
He also reaffirmed the administration's commitment to continuing reforms at the Land Transportation Office (LTO), while addressing operational concerns at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) and congestion at the country's seaports.
Dizon stressed that improving transportation services requires closer monitoring of actual conditions on the ground, noting that the daily concerns of commuters and motorists are most evident on the streets.
“Ang problema ng tao nasa kalye… transportation at DPWH eh,” Dizon said.
“Kailangan tinututukan natin ito kasi kung hindi natin tinututukan, medyo mabagal ang kilos ng ibang mga kawani natin, kaya kailangan pukpukin,” he added.
The transportation chief said closer supervision of field operations would help speed up government services and ensure that transportation-related concerns are addressed more efficiently.
Watch the full interview below:
