CABANATUAN CITY – The Department of Public Works and Highways has allocated an initial fund of P368,099,000 for the concreting of a 5.6-kilometer road that connects Central Luzon Link Expressway (CLLEX) to this city and several other municipalities.
DPWH Sec. Vince Dizon who visited the project on Friday, initiated by the city government in 2019, along with Nueva Ecija 3rd District Rep. Julius Cesar Vergara, Mayor Myca Elizabeth Vergara and public works officials, said the funds will be sourced from the 2026 General Appropriations Act.
The local government has already put up bridges, including the 1.5-kilometer Leopoldo Vergara Bridge to the road that spans from Nueva Ecija – Aurora Road intersection in Barangay San Isidro to Nueva Ecija – Cagayan Valley Road in Barangay Caalibangbangan, both of this city.
“Eto na nga tinulungan na nga tayo ng city government ng Cabanatuan,” Dizon said noting that aside from the bridges, the local government has already paved the road.
“Hindi DPWH ang gumawa nito. Hindi DPWH ang nagpatag sa daan, city of Cabanatuan ang nagpatag sa daan,” he stressed, adding the national government owes to the city “to do our share.”
“‘Yung dinaanan nating rough road mula kanina na 5.6 kilometers hanggang CLLEx ay kokonkretuhin na natin,” he said.
For this year, Dizon said, the agency will be able to complete two-lane concreting then expand to its four-lane width in 2027.
Prior to this DPWH intervention, the city LGU has completed the other portions of the road from the Minatula Bridge in the boundary of this city and the municipality of Santa Rosa to the Nueva Ecija -Aurora Road intersection that features a bridge (Minatula) and two flyovers.
Both Rep. Vergara and Mayor Vergara expressed appreciation to Dizon, saying the project was indeed vital in moving people and products that will boost economic activity in the city and many other areas.
“Pagbaba natin (municipality of) Gen. Natividad, ‘yun sa kabilang tulay na dadaanan natin pag bumaba ka (municipality of) Talavera na, pagkatapos susunod CLLEX na,” said Congressman Vergara who initiated the project as mayor.
The younger Vergara, on the other hand, emphasized the importance of road networks in progress. “Ang pinakaimportante kasi sa mga tao ‘yung transportation of goods and services, particularly with the current energy crisis.”
“Napakamahal ng gasolina, ng diesel, that’s really the best thing that the government can do for the people. To make going from one place to another easier, faster,” she stressed.
Roads, she added, generate jobs. “Walang negosyo na pupunta sa isang lugar na mahirap puntahan,” the mayor said.
