CLARK FREEPORT -- City of San Fernando Mayor Edwin Santiago said the national highway in Pampanga's capital city will be decongested once the quarry road is constructed.
During a meeting with Pampanga Press Club members at Widus Hotel Wednesday, June 5, Santiago said the P500-million quarry road is one of the solutions to the traffic problem along the MacArthur Highway.
The 13-kilometer quarry road will be constructed parallel and adjacent to the eastern part of megadike from Manibaug Porac to the Jose Abad Santos Avenue or Gapan San Fernando Olongapo in Bacolor town.
The reelected mayor said the project was already approved by the National Economic and Development Authority.
However, the implementation of the project was delayed because of the right of way issue, Santiago said.
Consultants for the projects did not approve the original plan where the road will be built inside the megadike, according to Santiago.
"I coordinated with the Department of Public Works and Highways, the quarry roads should be established. Our quarry industry in Pampanga is huge so we should give attention to it by building a special road for quarry trucks," Santiago said.
Another solution to the traffic problem is the implementation of truck ban during rush hours, the mayor added.
Santiago also said that his administration is practicing "participative governance" in order to effectively implement economic development programs and basic service to the people.
The City Government has solicited the participation of various sectors including the business, academe, and others on local governance, Santiago added.
He mentioned the contributions of the Pampanga Chamber of Commerce (PamCHam), under the leadership of President Rene Romero and the late PamCham Chairman Emeritus Levy Laus.