Completion of Almost All BBB Projects in Four Years Will Significantly Reduce Travel Time in PH–Villar

In four years, travel time in the Philippines will be reduced, according to Public Works and Highways Secretary Mark Villar.

While at the Manila Bulletin Hot Seat last Wednesday, Villar mentioned that most of the infrastructure projects under the Build, Build, Build (BBB) program will be completed by 2022, and will be able to help cut travel time in the country.

“By 2020, we’ll see half of the projects completed, by 2022, by the time the term of the president ends, halos lahat natapos na (almost all projects are done). And like I said, ibang-iba (it will be very different), you won’t even remember what it was like before sa laking pagbabago (because of the big improvement),” said Villar.

Once the expressways, bridges, and road widening projects that were aimed to solve traffic congestion are done, travel time will be reduced massively, according to the DPWH Secretary.

“I’m not saying this to make false promises. I’m telling you project by project and what’s my basis for saying that. I make that clear. I’m just telling you these are the projects, this is our plan and this is our timetable and you can hold me with that timetable,” he said.

Villar also reported on Wednesday that to date, a total of 1,908 kilometers of roads have been widened, 1, 316 kilometers of access roads have been upgraded, 328 kilometers of diversion roads have been constructed, and 393 kilometers of missing gaps between national roads have been connected.

Here are two major infrastructure projects that will cut the travel time in the Philippines according to Villar:

Luzon Spine Expressway

• Composed of several expressways in Luzon that aims to reduce travel time from Manila to La Union and Ilocos to Bicol
• The expressways will double the length of existing expressways in the country
• Once completed, Metro Manila to San Fernando, La Union will be cut from 6 hours and 55 minutes to 3 hours and 10 minutes while travel time from Ilocos to Bicol will be reduced from 19 hours and 40 minutes to 8 hours and 15 minutes.

Metro Manila Logistics Network

• Composed of 12 new bridges within the metropolis
• Designed to provide alternative linkages between major thoroughfares and increases the number of usable roadways to free some space up in the overly-congested EDSA and other major roads

“I believe we have a pipeline that will significantly, in the next few years, reduce the traffic congestion and we have the pipeline that will allow the next government to finish what we started,” said Villar while mentioning other projects for the Visayas and Mindanao regions.

Boracay Rehabilitation

Villar also reported the near completion of the Boracay Circumferential Road, which is the island’s main road network.

Boracay, which is set to reopen next month, will have an ideal 12-meter wide circumferential road . The missing gap from ManocManoc to Yapak, Malay Aklan is also 72 percent completed, while Section 1 Cabagan to Hue Hotel is now 32 percent completed, and Section Hue Hotel to Elizade Compound is now 27.20 percent completed.

Sidewalks are also being fixed for the convenience of both pedestrians and motorists. The DPWH is now also clearing obstructions within the road’s 12-meter right-of-way. 161 structures have been totally demolished while 40 structures are partially demolished so far.

Villar also mentioned that they plan to continuously improve the circumferential road next year.

The DPWH is also cracking down on corruption and violations of contractors and DPWH officials. Villar reported that a task force to run after the low-performing contractors has been created. 43 letters were sent out by the agency to various contractors demanding explanation as provided for under the law.

“Definitely, kung hindi nila ma-explain ‘yung (if they cannot explain the) reasons for delay, we will be blacklisting them,” said Villar.

“It is also very, very challenging because there is a process. We really need a task force to look for evidence, siyempre may mga pictures ‘yan. Kailangan (of course there are photographs. As necessary, )under the law we have to allow them to have time to fix the issues. But definitely, we have started blacklisting,” he added.

Five DPWH officers were suspended, just recently, for allegedly accepting a P4-million bribe from a contractor to secure project in the bidding.

“Anytime na may makita akong anomalya, tatanggalin ko, i-sususpend ko kasi (I see anomalies, I will remove, I will suspend because) we have to set an example that this is unacceptable. I wanna send this strong message, pati yung mga (even to the) contractors,” Villar said.

via Manila Bulletin / Betheena Kae Unite