Bridging gaps, paving roads toward strong economic growth

Central Luzon is a flourishing economic powerhouse that continues to witness an influx of investors and businesses.

According to the Philippine Statistics Authority, the region posted a growth rate above the national level at 8.11 percent in 2022.

Three economies here, namely Zambales, Angeles City, and Olongapo City, posted double-digit expansions while the rest also grew, attesting to the robust economic growth of the region.

This strong performance can be attributed partly to the existing and upcoming infrastructure investments, which are seen to significantly benefit the region.  Here are some of them.

Dingalan-Baler Road

Aurora

The Dingalan-Baler Road is one of three priority projects submitted by the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) Region III for fiscal year 2025.

The P4 billion project will provide a direct road link between Dingalan and Baler, reducing travel time between the two municipalities, thus improving economic connectivity between the areas. The road will also help people avoid the landslide-prone Nueva Ecija-Aurora Road.

As of June 2024, the construction of the Dingalan-Baler road is halfway done and on track despite initially hitting snags. It is expected to be completed by 2028.

Ala Uli steel flyover

Bataan

In December 2023, the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) inaugurated the Ala Uli steel flyover, meant to solve traffic buildup and frequent accident occurrences at the Roman Superhighway and the Gov. J.J. Linao National Road in Pilar, Bataan.

Located at a traffic choke point for vehicles going to and from the towns of Balanga, Pilar, Mariveles, and Bagac, Bataan’s first flyover structure streamlines traffic flow and reduces travel time, especially for the industrial centers along the highway, including oil companies in Limay and in Bataan Freeport in Mariveles.

New Manila International Airport

Bulacan

Conglomerate San Miguel Corp. (SMC) is building another airport in Bulacan province: the P740-billion New Manila International Airport, which is expected to be completed in 2028.

As of September 2023, SMC said that site clearance, land filling works, and ground improvement works stood at 98.3 percent, 66.59 percent, and 66.54 percent, respectively.

The new international airport will be able to accommodate up to 100 million passengers annually at full capacity, and is designed to have four parallel runways, a terminal, and an interlinked infrastructure network that includes expressways and railways.

Dalton Pass East Alignment Road

Nueva Ecija

A four-lane bypass road stretching 23 km will soon connect the provinces of Nueva Ecija in Region III, Nueva Vizcaya in Region II, and the Cagayan Valley Region.

It will involves the construction of 6.121-km twin tube sections and 10 bridges with a total length of 5.828 km and slope protection works.

The project is envisioned to provide fast, continuous, and safe connectivity of people, goods, and services from Cagayan Valley Region and Central Luzon, bolster economic activities, and stimulate agricultural, commercial, industrial, and tourism development in the Luzon.

North-South Commuter Railway

Pampanga

The construction of the P873.62-billion train depot of the North-South Commuter Railway (NSCR) project has already started in June 2024 and is expected to be completed by 2029.

The NSCR will connect Clark, Pampanga in the north and Calamba, Laguna in the south through a railway stretching 147 km. It is designed to serve 800,000 passengers daily through 35 stations covering 28 local governments, and will feature a fleet of 60 electric multiple-unit trains, each of which is at par with world standards in terms of safety and comfort, to serve commuters.

The project is estimated to have generated 50,000 direct jobs and 110,000 indirect jobs during construction. An additional 8,000 jobs are seen to be created when the railway is fully operational.

Central Luzon Link Expressway

Tarlac

Among the important infrastructure projects laid down in Tarlac is the Central Luzon Link Expressway (CLLEX).

CLLEX Phase 1—which runs from the Subic-Clark-Tarlac Expressway (SCTEx)/Tarlac-Pangasinan-La Union Expressway (TPLEx) connection in Tarlac City to the intersection of Aliaga-Guimba Road in Aliaga, Nueva Ecija—opened for use in July 2021. It cuts down travel time between Tarlac City and Cabanatuan City from 70 minutes to just 20 minutes. It is expected to serve around 11,200 motorists and commuters daily.

Upon its completion, the CLLEX project will also open the rest of the way in the provinces of Tarlac and Nueva Ecija.

Capas-Botolan Bypass Road

Zambales

The Capas-Botolan Bypass Road Project involves the construction of 15 bridges, which will serve as a direct link between the provinces of Tarlac and Zambales.

The P8.329 billion project, which is targeted for completion in 2025, features a bypass road length of 84.47 km. It started at the Olongapo-Bugallon Road in Zambales and will end at the Manila North Road in Tarlac. It will cut travel time to only two hours from the existing five hours.

Sources: Inquirer Archives, visitcentralluzon.com, psa.gov.ph, nro3.neda.gov.ph, pna.gov.ph, dpwh.gov.ph, bsp.gov.ph