In his third State of the Nation Address (SONA) on July 22, 2024, President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr. emphasized ongoing efforts to improve road connectivity and infrastructure in Luzon, aiming to address long-standing traffic and transportation issues.
"Significant segments of major expressways which [are] part of the Luzon Spine Expressway Network (LSEN) have now been opened to the public. The SLEX-NLEX connector and the Plaridel Bypass [Road] will be fully completed by the end of this year (2024). CALAX and the C-5 Southlink will be fully operational by next year (2025),” he said.
The LSEN is a key initiative designed to address traffic congestion on Luzon. It aims to construct 1,073 kilometers of high-standard highways in Luzon according to the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH).
Key components of the LSEN include the South Luzon Expressway (SLEX), North Luzon Expressway (NLEX), Skyway Stages 1 to 3, Subic-Clark-Tarlac Expressway (SCTEX), and Tarlac-Pangasinan-La Union Expressway (TPLEX).
The LSEN is expected to reduce travel time between Ilocos Region and Bicol Region from 20 hours to just nine hours, once completed.
"Dahil sa mga mahahalagahang daan na ito, ang Norte, Gitnang Luzon, Maynila, at Katimugang Luzon ay lalo pang magiging mas konektado sa isa't-isa,” Marcos said.
STUDY
A study by Adoracion Navarro and Jokkaz Latigar from the Philippine Institute for Development Studies (PIDS) reveals issues with the country's road transport infrastructure. Despite improvements in national roads, 1.25 percent remain gravel and 0.09 percent are earth roads. Regional roads are even more problematic, with about 47 percent of municipal roads unpaved and many rated as poor.
“Digging deeper into the implementation challenges, this study finds that the persistent problems are right-of-way acquisition, financing, political intervention, weak capacity at the local government level, natural calamities, and project management issues,” it read.
Outdated farm-to-market road practices and deteriorating road conditions further weaken connectivity, and many bridges still use temporary materials that need replacing.
The 2021 Regional Project Monitoring System (RPMES) Report highlighted challenges in implementing Regional Project Monitoring Committee (RPMC)-monitored projects in the following regions in Luzon:
- Cordillera Administrative Region, adverse weather, contractor issues, right-of-way (ROW) acquisition problems, and COVID-19 restrictions caused delays.
- The Ilocos Region faced material procurement issues, weather disturbances, and mobility restrictions.
- Cagayan Valley experienced delays from weather, ROW issues, and pandemic impacts. Central Luzon struggled with COVID-19, obstructions, ROW issues, and design changes.
- CALABARZON faced delays due to ROW acquisition issues, the Taal Volcano eruption, and budget constraints.
- MIMAROPA dealt with travel restrictions and material delivery delays; and,
- Bicol experienced delays from permit issues, obstructions, and weather-related inaccessibility.
Additional improvements in transportation include the reopening of the PNR Bicol, connecting Naga City to Legazpi City, and the recent opening of the Bicol International Airport, which further enhances regional connectivity.
