New 7.5-km Quezon bypass road inaugurated

MANILA, Philippines - President Aquino led on Monday the inauguration of a bypass road in Candelaria, Quezon designed to ease traffic congestion and boost tourism in the province.

After the ceremonial drive-through on the newly completed project, the President was briefed by Quezon Rep. Irvin Alcala on the salient features of the road project. The bypass road is one of the two projects proposed by Alcala.

The recently completed 7.5-kilometer road is a spacious gateway to Quezon province, which also has four bridges.

In his speech in Lucena City after inaugurating the road project, the President said 40 percent of the traffic on Maharlika Highway would be diverted to the bypass road, easing traffic congestion in that portion of Candelaria town.

The President said this was one proof of the changes that his administration promised when it assumed office.

He said his administration has been continuously paying attention to Quezon province in building new infrastructure.

For instance, he said in 2011, the Department of Public Works and Highways had a P1.19-billion budget for Quezon. In 2012, it became P1.43 billion and for 2013, the administration raised the budget to P2.4 billion.

If the government could save more money and Quezon officials spend their budget wisely, the President promised to support additional projects in the province by raising more allocation.

Candelaria leaders expect the new road to also boost ecotourism because of faster and convenient travel, particularly in the second district of Quezon.

In Lucena City, Aquino also led the awarding of the Seal of Good Housekeeping for Barangay Governance and the oath taking of new Liberal Party (LP) members in the province.

The Seal of Good Housekeeping reflects the kind of leadership and quality of public service that local government units possess when dealing with their official transactions.

The late Interior and Local Government secretary Jesse Robredo launched the initiative to improve the way local governments govern and conduct their businesses.

The new LP members came from 39 municipalities and two cities in Quezon.