MANILA – President Rodrigo Duterte lauded the construction workers who physically labored to complete the 7.42-kilometer Sariaya Bypass Road project in Quezon province amid the Covid-19 outbreak.
“The completion of the project is a testament to the – well let us give also honor to – itong mga nagtatrabaho, ‘yung mga nagpapala doon ng ilang buwan (these workers, and those who have been shoveling for how many months),” he said in his Talk to the People aired on Monday night.
Duterte also praised the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) and its project partners for completing the road project, which begins from the Manila South Road, Daang Maharlika Road and ends at the Quezon Eco-tourism Road.
Similarly, Duterte hailed former DPWH Secretary Mark Villar, calling him as “one of the most brilliant government officials at the present”. Villar resigned in order to run for senator in the 2022 elections.
The road project is part of the administration’s massive infrastructure program, “Build, Build, Build”.
“Napakaganda ho nito (This is very beautiful). It is a new 7.42 kilometers bypass road,” Duterte said.
The DPWH stated in a video presentation that the Sariaya Bypass Road will provide daily transportation efficiency for approximately 15,000 vehicles and commuters traveling to various provinces in the Southern Tagalong region.
The government anticipates that the project will aid the economic and social development by improving transportation efficiency, increasing road safety, and expanding current commercial prospects throughout Quezon province.
Duterte led the opening and inauguration of the road project on Oct. 21 which, he stated will be critical to the full reopening of the Philippine economy amid the pandemic.
“As we continue to overcome the current pandemic and carefully reopen our national and local economies, infrastructure development will play a vital role in our success,” he said in his speech.
Duterte expressed optimism that the Sariaya Bypass Road would stimulate the growth of businesses and economic prospects in Quezon province.
“It will not only provide faster and safer travel for motorists but also [allow] efficient transport of goods to and from the markets [in] Southern Luzon. This new bypass road is also expected to lessen the traffic volume along Daang Maharlika from Sariaya to Lucena by 40 percent,” he said.
