Tiaong, Quezon
23 March 2015

President Benigno S. Aquino III was given an update on the South Luzon Expressway (SLEX) Toll Road 4 (TR4) Project and other major projects in Southern Tagalog held in Tiaong, Quezon.

“Layunin nga po ng proyektong ito na pabilisin ang transportasyon at magbunsod ng kaunlaran hindi lamang sa Kamaynilaan kundi maging sa mga karatig nating bayan,” said President Aquino underscoring the importance of the SLEX TR4 in his message.

The 57.5-kilometer road project running from Sto. Tomas, Batangas to Lucena, Quezon is expected to cut travel time from four hours to just one. It also aims to make travelling in Southern Luzon safer with wider planes, well-lit toll plazas and CCTV cameras.

Costing a total amount of P13.08 billion, SLEX TR4 is a joint initiative of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) – Toll Regulatory Board (TRB), South Luzon Tollway Corporation (SLTC), San Miguel Corporation (SMC) and Citra Metro Manila Tollways Corporation (CMMTC). It is targeted to be completed in 2019.

The President also noted a few of the ongoing and accomplished infrastructure projects being undertaken in the province of Quezon. Among these are the rehabilitation of the Manila South Road (including the Tiaong-Lucena Diversion Road – Pagbilao – Sta. Elena, Camarines Norte Section and the Pagsanjan-Tayabas-Lucena Section), and the newly completed enhanced ports in San Andres, Mauban, Unisan, Gumaca and Perez.

The farm-to-market roads in San Andres and Pagbilao, Quezon are said to benefit 3,500 farmers. Other projects include irrigation systems in various municipalities to boost harvest and production in the province.

“Sa lahat nga po ng ito, itinataguyod natin ang karapatan ninyong mga taga-Quezon na iangat ang inyong kabuhayan,” he added.

Joining the president during the briefing were DPWH Secretary Rogelio “Babes” Singson, Agriculture Secretary Proceso Alcala, TRB Executive Director Edmund Reyes, SMC President and SLTC Chairman Ramon Ang.

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