CITY OF SAN FERNANDO, Pampanga — Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) has commenced construction of a 17.74-kilometer access road that will connect Subic Bay Freeport Zone to the Mabiga Exit of Subic-Clark-Tarlac Expressway.
DPWH Regional Director Roseller Tolentino said this new diversion road will bring the Hermosa Ecozone Industrial Park closer to major seaports and airports in the region and it will also be linked to the Luzon Spine Expressway Network thus providing ease in inter-regional accessibility.
“This multi-year project started in 2020 when the initial allocation of P120 million was released by the national government for the improvement of the 3.95-kilometer Mabiga-Morong segment, which as of March 31, 2022 had an accomplishment rate of 74.28 percent,” Tolentino disclosed.
Construction of the 7.264-kilometer Mabiga-Palihan section, on the other hand, was given a total of P200 million under the 2021 national budget.
“Our thrust is to increase our road investments in the region. Expanding our existing road networks in the country’s industrial heartland will primarily benefit ecozone locators as there will be greater mobility that can result to lower business costs and faster delivery of goods and services,” Tolentino explained.
Better road networks are important drivers for business expansion and economic growth and DPWH is striving to address the expected increase in traffic to be caused by future developments in the industrial areas of Bataan, Zambales and Pampanga.
The multi-year access road project has a total estimated cost of P4.05 billion and is expected to be completed in 2027.
“Right now, we are working on this project by phases and there are a lot of extensive works that needs to be done before it can be fully used by the public,” Tolentino furthered.
The agency’s Regional Construction Division and Bataan 1st District Engineering Office are committed to fast-track the implementation of the project. (CLJD-PIA 3)
