Thursday, November 08, 2007 Arroyo’s decision on interchanges to still benefit Pampanga: group
PORAC -- The Advocacy for the Development of Central Luzon (ADCL) said President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo’s decision on the proposed Subic-Clark-Tarlac Expressway interchanges in Pampanga would still benefit the province despite the elimination of the proposed Porac-Angeles interchange in Barangay Manuali in Porac.
ADCL president Renato Tayag Jr. said they received unofficial reports that Malacañang has approved the proposed interchanges in Basa Air Base area, Floridablanca, Hacienda Dolores in Porac and inside the Clark Freeport Zone where the proposed Clark Business District (CBD) should have been located.
Tayag said the three interchanges will still be beneficial for the province although the ADCL members still believe that the proposed interchange in Manuali would be most beneficial to Angeles City, San Fernando, Bacolor, Porac, Mexico, Sto. Tomas, Magalang, Lubao and the rest of the province.
“We still believe that the interchange in Manuali is the most beneficial to Pampanga but we respect the decision of the President. What is important is that we have an access to SCTEx. It would be ideal if the National Government would build these interchanges simultaneously. But we are not also losing hope that in the future, Manuali will still be considered,” he said.
He hoped that the approved interchange inside Clark would not create heavy traffic as earlier discussed by the group since it is very near the Friendship gate, where Pampanga first district Representative Carmelo Lazatin earlier proposed another interchange.
“Last August and September, we said the reason why we are pushing for the Manuali site is because it is most practical for the manufacturers in Angeles City and San Fernando who want to move their cargo to Subic or Tarlac and vice versa. The problem with an interchange inside Clark is that it could not be used by the manufacturers due to the hassle of tally in and tally out in the freeport’s gates. On top of this, Clark already has two interchanges -- the Clark North in Dolores and the Clark Nlex (North Luzon Expressway) exit in Mabiga,” Tayag said.
He added that with the Manuali interchange, manufacturers and other small and medium enterprises (SMEs) can use Circumferential and Cuayan roads leading to the Manuali or Porac-Angeles Interchange.
“But despite the fact that our proposal was eliminated, we are still happy because Pampanga would have three interchanges. At least our people will have more access to SCTEx although they might have to find easier routes going to these interchanges,” Tayag said. (MHD)
