24,000-km roads built, improved in 4 years – DPWH

Close to 24,000 kilometers of roads have been constructed and improved all over the country four years after the massive infrastructure program of the government started, Public Works and Highways Secretary Mark Villar said Wednesday.

Despite the months-long suspension of construction due to the enhanced and general community quarantine, Villar expressed confidence that the existing infrastructure projects under the Build, Build, Build program will be delivered in 2022.

On behalf of the infrastructure cluster, Villar said that “while the (COVID-19) pandemic may have disrupted the implementation of projects, with the right mindset, scientific advice, and our whole-ofgovernment approach, we are still committed to complete many of our projects within the next two and a half years.”

A total 23,657 kilometers of roads were constructed, maintained, widened, upgraded and rehabilitated as of May 2020, Villar reported during the virtual 2020 Pre-State of the Nation Address (pre-SONA) forum.

He also said that a total of 4,959 bridges were also constructed, widened, upgraded, rehabilitated, and strengthened as of May 2020.

Villar disclosed that the government “will build and lay the groundwork for the 1,066 kilometers of new high standard highways and expressways in Luzon, Cebu and Davao with a total investment cost of P802 billion.”

Vital to the improved and expanded highway network in the country is the Luzon Spine Expressway Network Program, covering some 905 kilometers of high standard expressways in Luzon, which is more than twice the 382-kilometer existing expressways.

The ₱633-billion priority program aims to reduce travel time between Ilocos and Bicol regions from 20 hours to just nine hours.

The secretary also reported that some of the new bridges, which are under construction to augment the 30 existing ones across Pasig River, Marikina River, and Manggahan Floodway are expected to be completed next year amid the monthslong suspension of civil works.

The Bonifacio Global City-Ortigas Center Road Link, which will connect Lawton Avenue in Makati City with the Sta. Monica Street in Pasig City in under 15 minutes, is now 80-percent completed.

The China-funded BinondoIntramuros Bridge and EstrellaPantaleon Bridge will be finished next year, Villar said.