BY NEXT year, traffic flow and management in Mabalacat, particularly in the busy intersection at Sta. Ines, will be much improved with the implementation of the traffic signal management by the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH).

In a presentation at the SB session hall last Friday, Director Rojas and his team unraveled what promises to be a relief to motorists on the exasperating congestion on the Manila North Road-McArthur highway span.

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This project is timely as the Xevera project in Tabun, spearheaded by hardworking Engineer Bernie Pacheco and a team of competent engineers like Vic Gutierrez, Joel Pamintuan and others, will open soon.

In the power-point presentation, it was highlighted that a properly designed, operated and maintained traffic signal system will yield significant benefits such as less congestion, improved fuel consumption, reduced vehicle emissions and improved air quality to the delight and relief, of course, of environmentalist par excellance Engineer Rox Pena.

The project may entail temporary inconvenience to motorists and even pedestrians, but its impact and significance to the traffic flow in downtown Mabalacat, bane to most motorists using the MNR, will overcome the discomfort of the travelers.

There will be no sidewalk widening yet due to existence of concrete structures/buildings encroaching on the highway.

According to the handouts given by the DPWH to the attendees: Vice Mayor Prospero T. Lagman, MA Rosan Paquia, Engr. Rod de Leon, this writer, Chief of Police Jovencio Flores and MTEG's Chook Santos, the scope of traffic management works will include installation of road signs and pavement markings, pavement studs, pedestrian barriers, waiting sheds and the provision of designated loading and unloading zones and improvement of channelization on Balagtas, Lucero and Dau intersections only.

The presenters later asked the attendees to extend full cooperation and support to the project and make info dissemination to the public.

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A seminar workshop on Barangay Fiscal Management for Mabalacat Barangay officials will be conducted at the Venue Parkview Hotel in Baguio City on December 2-5, 2008 under the stewardship of the town's DILG office headed by LGOO V Natividad Q. Dungca and assisted by Nizerata P. Pamintuan, Norma C. Tuazon, Elisa P. Tornato and Liezel C. Pascual. As usual, the support of
Mayor Boking Morales, through GSO head and chief of staff Jun Magbalot will be extended to, and expected by, the seminar workshop participants in Baguio City.

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The next frontier. This huge and ambitious project will see the emergence of another metropolis within the developed Clark Freeport Zone. The soon-to-be carved sub-zone will encompass some 10,684 hectares (out of the total land area of 29,000 hectares of still undeveloped area) and promises to be the site of business and investment projects.

But note, only about 2,010 hectares will be suitable for expansion projects because 8,674 hectares compose of exclusion and non-buildable areas. Even so, the 2,000 hectares will perhaps suffice to host an impressive business district comparable to the Laguna Technopark but probably much bigger and more accommodating.

President Benny N. Ricafort and his team have a formidable task of making this next frontier a gateway to the world.

One thorny issue needs to be resolved, although. The Aeta tribes stand to benefit substantially from the ambitious project but what about the Christian settlers or the so-called Unats who have also become integral part of the ancestral domain?

And what is this I learned that the Unats are being excluded in the remuneration schemes? Wag naman sana. As we know, they co-exist with their kulot counterparts in the domain and no amount of discrimination should befall on them, di ba, Punong Barangay Jimmy Jimenez?

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The Greater Clark Zone transport group should answer the clamor of the riding public for fare rollback as soon as possible, legalities notwithstanding.

Remember, there are about 57,000 workers inside Clark with some 20 to 30 thousand patronizing the ragtag PUVs.

While at it, some Clark PUV drivers (and some private car owners/drivers) are speed maniacs with perhaps no regard to human lives and properties. What if accidents do occur, how would they compensate the families of the victims? I wish VP for Operations and Technical Services Frank Madlangbayan and PSD Chief Nic Targa look into this serious deficiency before matters get worse and accidents do happen on the Clark road network.

For more Philippine news, visit Sun.Star Manila.

(December 1, 2008 issue)
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