TARLAC CITY, Philippines – President Benigno S. Aquino III has already tasked Public Works and Highways Secretary Rogelio Singson to coordinate with local government authorities to repair as soon as possible the Pura-Guimba Road in Central Luzon.
In a speech during a thanksgiving celebration here on Sunday, President Aquino said he had observed cracks along the 11.44-kilometer provincial road when he visited Nueva Ecija recently to distribute relief goods for the victims of Typhoon Lando.
Quoting Secretary Singson, President Aquino explained that provincial roads are actually not covered by the budget that Congress has enacted for the Department of Public Works and Highways, as this is only limited to national roads and tourism-related projects.
“Sabi po sa atin noong nakarating na tayo sa Nueva Ecija: ‘Dito po sa Nueva Ecija ang parte ng kalsadang ‘yan maganda, ang problema po, diyan sa Tarlac na probinsya ninyo.’ Siyempre, nakakahiya ho,” the President said.
“Inatasan natin tuloy ang butihing kalihim Babes Singson na makipag-ugnayan sa lokal na gobyerno para maisaayos ang Pura-Guimba Road sa lalong madaling panahon,” he added.
President Aquino likewise mentioned the construction of alternative routes going to the Cagayan Valley region, crossing the areas of Tarlac, Nueva Ecija, Aurora and Quirino to avoid Dalton Pass, which is prone to landslides.
“At mayroon na rin pong naka-planong expressway na dudugtong sa SCTEX (Subic-Clark-Tarlac Expressway) mula sa La Paz, Tarlac, dadaan ito sa Zaragoza, Nueva Ecija, sa San Jose hanggang Cabanatuan,” he said.
According to the President, the plan is on the detailed engineering design stage and it will be funded by the Japan International Cooperation Agency.
President Aquino bares more road projects in Central Luzon
