CLARK FREEPORT – Department of Public Works and Highways Secretary Mark Villar said infrastructure projects in Central Luzon will go as planned.
“Dito sa Clark marami kaming projects connecting the existing Freeport to Clark Green City. Tuluy-tuloy naman ang mga projects dito. Malaki ang potential ng Region III so we are excited sa mga projects (We have a lot of projects connecting the exiting Freeport to Clark Green City. The projects will continue. Central Luzon has a big potential and we are excited about it),” Villar said during the agency’s regular meeting at the Nayong Pilipino Clark, Thursday, December 14.
Villar said upgrading of the national highway from Bulacan to Pampanga will go as planned. “Sa Pulilan (Bulacan) – Apalit (Pampanga) by-pass road kasama na yan, and yung upgrading ng MacArthur Highway.”
The National Government has appropriated P45.3-billion for various infrastructure projects in Central Luzon next year, Villar said.
“Yung pondo para sa proyekto naka-lagay na sa 2017 at 2018 budget ng ating pamahalaan. Malaki talaga ang budget dito, for 2018 P45.3 billion ang naka-allocate for Region 3 sa 2018 (The funds for the projects are already infused in the 2017 and 208 budget. Central Luzon has P45.3 billion allocated for 2018),” he said.
Villar pointed out that President Duterte has directed the DPWH and other agencies to prioritize infrastructure development projects in the regions like Central Luzon for the decongestion of Metro Manila.
“Kailangan ng ma-decongest ang Metro Manila at isa po itong Central Luzon sa mga areas na naka-identify para sa decongestion. So nakita niyo ang DoTr lumipat na dito, eventually we can see that there will be… Maganda po ang area dito eh. Above sea level at very strategic ang location. In the long term, I can see that more government agencies will transfer to Clark,” Villar said.
Villar disclosed other projects in Pampanga including the construction of the Clark International Airport, flood control projects, and others.
“Yung sa airport sinisimulan na nila. I think they are opening the [construction] bids this week. Aside from the projects here, lahat naman na-obligate na so continuous naman yung construction. In fact minamadali namin para matapos kaagad,” Villar said.