Megalopolis plan beneficial to Pampanga’s business sector
CITY OF SAN FERNANDO — The Pampanga Megalopolis plan drafted by renowned Filipino architect and urban planner Felino Palafox, Jr. will be beneficial to the business sector of the pr ovi nce.
This was according to Pampanga Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Inc. (PamCham) President Jess Nicdao who noted that the comprehensive master plan will help increase the growth potential of Pampanga.
He highlighted that the said proposal will also aid the provincial
is expected to position Pampanga as the strongest counter-magnet to the now problematic Metro Manila.
In 2016, former President now Second District Representative Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo and Governor Lilia Pineda along with the private sector led by the Pampanga Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Inc. commissioned Palafox to formulate the megalopolis plan that will realize the maximum potentials of Pampanga.
Composed of various metropolitan areas, the Pampanga megalopolis plan is clustered into four building blocks namely airport-driven aerotropolis (Angeles City, Mabalacat City, City of San Fernando and Mexico town); the agriculture-driven agropolis (Lubao, Guagua, Sta. Rita, San Luis, San Simon, Sto. Tomas and Magalang towns); water-driven aquapolis (Sasmuan, Minalin, Macabebe, Masantol and Lubao towns); and the ecology-driven ecopolis cluster (Arayat, Candaba, Floridablanca and Porac towns).
Each cluster, which has its own strengths to persuade local and foreign tourists to visit and eventually move in the community, has its development needs identified and will soon be addressed through implementation of various program included in the masterplan.
Aside from developing the said clusters, the megalopolis plan will also focus on improving transportation and road infrastructure where several projects were already identified such as the Sasmuan-Masantol Viaduct, Arayat-Magalang road, Angeles-Porac-Floridablanca road, Lubao Bypass road, Masantol-Macabebe-Apalit-San Simon-San Luis-Arayat road, Angeles Bypass road and the Subic-Clark-Tarlac Expressway quarry road.
To reduce traffic congestion along MacArthur Highway and improve mass transportation service, a bus rapid transport which includes a feeder loop system and identified intermodal stations is also recommended in the said masterplan.
The megalopolis plan likewise formulated a development framework strategy that packaged Pampanga’s immense diversity to advance its tourism sector. This includes creating a unique brand for the province which will enhance its market potentials leading to easy-attraction of tourists and investors, as well.
As a province always experiencing flooding, a disaster resilience and flood control project program will also created to minimize the risks of natural hazards which would protect the province’s industries and economic interests, as well as the health, well-being and quality of life of Kapampangans.
Structural and non-structural projects, as well as proper solid waste management programs were recommended to ensure that such natural hazards cannot cause serious disruption on the province’s growth and development.
An integrated water resources and supply planning was also included in the Pampanga megalopolis plan, wherein a development of water retaining ponds and reservoir is proposed to maximize the significant surface water supply of the province.
Local governments are also urged to establish water treatment plants to be able to supply clean and potable water that may be used for domestic and industrial use.
Meanwhile, the prominent Pampanga Growth Triangle is expected to serve as imperative channel to jumpstart the proposed programs and projects under the megapolis plan. Bounded by major thoroughfares namely Subic-Clark-Tarlac Expressway, North Luzon Expressway, Jose Abad Santos Avenue and MacArthur Hiway, the growth triangle will also be a composite converge of the three big and developing cities of San Fernando, Mabalacat and Angeles.
The Growth Triangle also identified Priority Investment Areas characterized as “poblacions” which will serve as convergence of major government and community establishments. The megalopolis plan is expected to be finished in 50 years and will require at least P20-billion to realize all proposed programs and projects.