CALOOCAN CITY — President Rodrigo Roa Duterte on Thursday, February 28, during the inauguration of the P9-billion North Luzon Express Way (NLEX) Harbor Link Segment 10 Project, reminded political commentators and politicians that the administration is not into “claim and credit syndrome.”
“All of the projects that we undertake and will do for the rest of my term…we give our gratitude to the builders, to the contractors, the partners of government. We place it in the name of the people of the Republic of the Philippines,” President Duterte underscored during the event held at C3 Road, Caloocan City.
“Nobody can claim credit in the name of the people…it is their money and for all of us,” President Duterte added.
He said that the 6 kilometer-long, six-lane elevated expressway project would connect McArthur Highway to C-3 Road in Caloocan and would cut across Valenzuela and Malabon. It is expected to benefit around 20,000 motorists per day and would serve as an alternate route for motorists and resolve truck ban problems.
“This new highway is expected to decongest Metro Manila by providing access to NLEX without the need to pass through EDSA or the Balintawak Toll Plaza,” the President noted.
“It will reduce traffic time…travel time from Valenzuela to C-3 from the usual 1 hour to just 5 minutes. That’s heaven,” he added.
President Duterte then acknowledged the efforts of the Department of Public Works and Highways, Department of Transportation, and the NLEX Corporation for their timely implementation and completion of the project.
“This will definitely improve access and mobility in the area and result in greater socio-economic gains for our industries and communities,” President Duterte said.
“I am hopeful that the remaining portions of the NLEX Harbor Link Project will be completed within the next two years,” he continued.
Before the inauguration of the said project, the Chief Executive also led the groundbreaking ceremony of the NLEX-SLEX Connector Road Project under the Public-Private Partnership Program.
The Chief Executive noted that the road project would extend NLEX southward from the end of the Harbor Link Segment 10 to Polytechnic University of the Philippines (PUP) Sta. Mesa and would connect to the Skyway Stage 3.
He added that the 8-kilometer elevated 4-lane toll expressway project is expected to reduce travel time from SLEX to NLEX and vice-versa from two hours to just 20 minutes.
“It will also reduce travel time from Clark to Calamba from approximately three hours to just one hour and 40 minutes. It will also improve connectivity between NAIA and Clark Airport and will benefit at least 35,000 motorists per day, ” he said.
Toward the end of his speech, President Duterte also noted that the administration is committed to a 10-point socio-economic agenda that includes the acceleration of infrastructure projects and development of various industries leading to stronger economy and improved lives of the Filipino people.
He also asked for the continued active participation of government’s partners in the private sector as lead government agencies ensure the timely implementation and completion of all government infrastructure projects.
“Now, more than ever, we are called on to demonstrate our bayanihan spirit and strong sense of nationhood,” he said.
“Let us remain steadfast as we work together in forging a stronger and more progressive future for all Filipinos, ” he added. ###PND
