By Christopher Hedreyda
CALAMBA CITY, Laguna —The government’s big-ticket road projects in Calabarzon are in full swing to decongest key cities and densely populated communities, the Department of Public Works and Highways said.
In Quezon province, the rehabilitation of key sections of the Maharlika Highway –a critical route connecting Metro Manila to Southern Luzon –is on track, said DPWH Region IV-A Director Jovel Mendoza in an interview with the Philippine Information Agency Calabarzon.
“The improvement of certain sections of the Maharlika Highway makes a significant contribution to the region’s economic growth. As a major transportation route, this highway connects provinces, neighboring regions, and trade centers,“ he said.
“Upgrading and rehabilitating it will speed up the flow of goods and services, reduce travel costs and time, and boost tourism,” he added.
According to DPWH Calabarzon, rehabilitation of the Maharlika Highway covers sections from Calamba City in Laguna to Tagkawayan in Quezon and requires a total budget of P14.39 billion.
Mendoza indicated no project completion even as he was optimistic that it will be sustained in the succeeding general appropriations.
He said of the estimated P14.39 billion for Maharlika’s improvement, P1.827 billion from the 2023 budget has been completed; P3.833 billion from the 2024 budget is currently under implementation, while P1.758 billion from the 2025 budget is presently in the bidding process.
In Batangas, the DPWH reported that the recently inaugurated Balagtas flyover has helped ease road congestion in the province.
The flyover serves as an alternative route from the STAR Tollway to the diversion road and city proper and improved access to Batangas Port, one of the country’s busiest seaports.
“The flyover (resulted in) smoother flow of traffic. The number of accidents in Brgy. Balagtas has decreased from 56 incidents to just 38. Travel going to the port and the city proper has also become faster,” Mendoza said.
The DPWH director is hopeful that construction of a flyover in Tagaytay City in Cavite will be completed by August 2025 while opening to motorists is expected by September 2025 providing road convenience for both tourists and locals.
Ahead of the fourth State of the Nation Address of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., Mendoza said the DPWH Calabarzon will continue to uphold best practices in road infrastructure development.
He said planning and pre-construction coordination with local governments and stakeholders are conducted to ensure that projects are tailored to the actual needs of communities and the population they serve.
