PHL govt approves two key road projects for Luzon

Two key road projects were approved by the Investment Coordination Committee (ICC) of the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) board to decongest the Pan-Philippine Highway. Socioeconomic Planning Secretary Cayetano Paderanga Jr. said the Arterial Road Bypass Project completes the plant to decongest traffic and “enhance the economic and physical integration of Metro Manila and the provinces of Bulacan and Nueva Ecija and even the Cagayan Valley region and Aurora." Phase II of the Arterial Road Bypass will be built at an estimated P3.26 billion. Government will apply for a P1.55-billion loan assistance from the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) to complete the project, NEDA said in a statement Friday. The ICC also approved the Central Luzon Link Expressway (CLLEX) Phase I, stretching from the Subic-Clark-Tarlac Expressway in Tarlac City to Cabanatuan City and San Jose City in Nueva Ecija. “The CLLEX will integrate the Tarlac, Nueva Ecija, Aurora and the Cagayan Valley region with Metro Manila and the rest of Northern Luzon, which is consistent with our regional growth strategy," Paderanga said. Building the CLLEX will cost P15.11 billion, and government also plans to tap JICA for P10.58-billion loan assistance. NEDA said both projects will be implemented by the Department of Public works and Highways from 2012 to 2017. — VS, GMA News