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By Darwin G. Amojelar, Reporter
THE Cabinet Committee of the National Economic
and Development Authority (NEDA-Cabcom) has approved a
multibillion-peso worth project that would expand a road that cuts
through President Arroyo’s provincial bailiwick.
The NEDA said it approved the P2.057-billion
widening of the Gapan-San Fernando-Olongapo road, which goes through
Pampanga, the President’s home-province.
The second phase of the project would source 64
percent of its funds from the Korean Economic Development
Cooperation Fund, with the remaining 36 percent representing the
Philippine government’s counterpart.
The project involves widening the existing
two-lane, 11.30-kilometer Palihan-Layac-Sta. Cruz stretch into four
lanes. It would also entail the shoulder improvement on the two-lane
2.85-kilometer Layac-Dinalupihan Road and construction of a
two-lane, 5.54-kilometer bypass road.
The NEDA said the project aims to reduce
transportation constraints on the existing road, induce economic
development in the area and to provide safer, convenient and faster
travel for motorists coming from the south and north of the project
area to various tourist and business destinations in Olongapo,
Zambales and Bataan.
The NEDA also approved the P972.06-million new
Bacolod Airport access road to be financed by a P604.87-million loan
also from the Korean funding agency, with the Philippine government
supplementing P367.20 million. The new 10.12-kilometer airport
access road will connect the new Bacolod Airport in Silay City to
Bacolod City.
Also approved was the P28.29 billion Road
Enhancement and Asset Preservation Management Program of the
Department of Public Works and Highways.
The project is a sector program type of
assistance that aims to enhance the efforts of the government to
improve, preserve, and manage its national roads systems. This
program intends to complement and harmonize with the World
Bank-assisted National Road Improvement and Management Program.
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