The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) in Region 4A (Calabarzon) is on track with projects aimed at easing traffic congestion and enhancing road access to various parts of the region under the Marcos administration’s Build Better More program.

During the “Kapihan sa Bagong Pilipinas” media forum, DPWH-4A Regional Director Jovel Mendoza said the rehabilitation of the portion of Maharlika Highway within their jurisdiction, which spans 231 kilometers from Calamba City to Tagkawayan in Quezon, is being diligently pursued by the incumbent administration.

“Maharlika Highway is the major thoroughfare of motorists (travelling) from Calamba City to Tagkawayan, Quezon in the region… linking Bicol up to Visayas and Mindanao,” he told reporters during the forum that took place at the DPWH regional office in this city.

The DPWH official did not specify the target completion date of the highway rehabilitation project but called it “a top priority.”

President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. last week said the reconstruction of this key highway has been ongoing for 12 years, but this is the only government that has put serious attention to its completion.

“All those rehabilitations, you know, we only really started two years ago. Because nothing was done in the previous administration, nothing was done in the administration before that,” Marcos said about his administration’s infrastructure initiatives.

Meanwhile, Mendoza also underscored the significance of the South Luzon Expressway TR4, a 48-kilometer bypass road from Santo Tomas in Batangas to Lucena City, Quezon, which is envisioned to alleviate congestion in San Pablo City.

This ongoing infrastructure project is intended to significantly reduce travel time in the region from four hours to one hour, making it a more convenient alternative to the congested Daang Maharlika.

Barring any unforeseen delays, the road is expected to be partially passable by 2025.

In Cavite, Mendoza said the 40-kilometer East Lateral Road from Aguinaldo Highway to Nasugbu, Batangas, once complete, will ease traffic in Tagaytay City, particularly on weekends when tourist traffic peaks.

Additionally, the flyover in Mendez town, Cavite, is expected to alleviate congestion at the Mendez junction leading to Nasugbu, Batangas.

Mendoza also highlighted the construction of a 1.42-kilometer bridge linking Lopez in the mainland to Perez in Alabat Island, providing a faster alternative to boat or barge travel.

“This locally funded project enhances connectivity to remote areas,” Mendoza said. (PNA)