PUBLIC Works Secretary Vince Dizon is looking for available government savings to fund the completion of an unfinished road and drainage improvements in San Mateo, saying the projects could ease traffic congestion and reduce flooding in Rizal province and other parts of Metro Manila.
Dizon inspected the road in Pintong Bukawe, Barangay Silangan, on Friday, saying the remaining section will serve as an alternative route for motorists traveling from Antipolo City, Baras and Tanay, all in the province, to Marikina City and Quezon City, reducing traffic on Marcos Highway and in the Masinag area.
“We are almost there. According to the local government, the right-of-way has already been secured all the way to the end. So, we are ready to go — we need to secure funding,” Dizon said, referring to the remaining work on the road.
The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) chief reiterated that he would explore ways to fund the project, which he described as an example of the government’s push to complete unfinished infrastructure instead of leaving partially built facilities unused.
According to the Public Works agency, more than 600 meters of the road had been completed, leaving less than 2 kilometers to finish, although the exact length and funding requirements would still have to be determined.
Completing the road would benefit not only San Mateo residents but also motorists from neighboring towns who could use it as an alternative route to Metro Manila, it said.
Dizon stressed that improved access would also help farmers in mountainous areas transport their produce to markets in San Mateo, Marikina and Quezon City.
He told The Manila Times that the project had already been started but remained unfinished because the succeeding phase had not been funded.
“Leaving infrastructure projects incomplete wastes public money, particularly when partially completed roads and drainage systems deteriorate or fail to serve their intended purpose,” the top DPWH official said.
The inspection was part of the DPWH’s effort to identify unfinished projects that could be completed through available funding.
Local officials said improving San Mateo’s infrastructure would also benefit the broader Metro Manila economy because the municipality hosts a landfill serving the capital and quarrying operations that supply construction materials for public infrastructure. ARLIE CALALO
