Synergy to halt traffic woes
The project is the first infrastructure to open during the General Community Quarantine period
The 2.6 kilometer NLEX Harbor Link section is critical for the free flow of vehicles in the area. It is an elevated expressway that will serve as a direct route from North Luzon Expressway to the Port of Manila
Teamwork has been proven the main weapon of the economic team in keeping commerce ticking amid the unprecedented impact of the coronavirus that pushed the government to implement draconian measures to restrict movement of the populace.
The government realizes, however, that the economy can’t remain static for an extended period and is now taking actions to revive business activities and stalled projects.
The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) on 15 June officially opened to motorists the C3-R10 section of the North Luzon Expressway (NLEX) Harbor Link Segment 10 in Navotas City to ensure better movement of commercial vehicles and goods in the area.
The 2.6 kilometer NLEX Harbor Link section is critical for the free flow of vehicles in the area. It is an elevated expressway that will serve as a direct route from North Luzon Expressway (NLEX) to the Port of Manila and vice versa which is particularly devoted to cargo trucks to make the delivery of goods faster and more efficient.
Solving a pernicious woe
The transport of goods through the streets of Metro Manila has been a perennial problem that worsens every year.
“We very much welcome the opening of this section of the NLEX Harbor Link, as this will definitely boost productivity and spur trade and commerce. It would cut travel time from Quezon City to the Port of Manila from two hours to 10 to 15 minutes. Likewise, it would also provide ease of travel for Manila port freight carriers and other commercial vehicles,” Department of Trade and Industry Secretary Ramon Lopez said.
“We laud the DPWH and its private sector partners in working overtime to deliver this vital piece of infrastructure even during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic. This will be critical in speeding up our country’s postpandemic economic recovery,” Lopez added.
The project is the first infrastructure to open during the General Community Quarantine period. By bringing NLEX closer to the country’s central shipping gateway, the Port of Manila, the government foresees speedier transport of goods, as well as increased economic productivity in Metro Manila and North and Central Luzon regions. As no truck bans are imposed along NLEX, cargo trucks would also gain 24/7 road network access.
Logistics needs sea change
“Effective logistics development is the key in facilitating trade and connectivity. It lowers cost and clearance time of imports and exports, while also ensuring the smooth flow of commodities. Having stable and reliable logistics would encourage market expansion and improve investors” confidence in our country’s ability to transport goods and services,” Lopez explained.
“With this new project that improves overall accessibility and reduces transportation costs including travel time, the impact on economic productivity is immense. With reliable logistics, costs to obtain input materials and services are reduced, businesses’ labor pool is increased, and the potential markets are expanded,” he added.
In the first quarter of 2020 alone, the Philippine Ports Authority reported 14,920,227 metric tons of foreign cargo throughput and 782,482 twentyfoot equivalent units of foreign container traffic, both imports and exports, between the Port of Manila to North Luzon.