Task force formed to clear MacArthur Highway

SAN FERNANDO, Pampanga, Philippines  – The P8.4 billion spent by the government to widen the MacArthur Highway from Caloocan City to Tarlac failed to ease travel because vendors and other obstructions, including parked vehicles, have taken over the widened flanks.

Because of this, the regional development council (RDC) of Central Luzon created Task Force Balik MacArthur to clear the highway.

The task force was mandated to ensure smooth traffic flow and safety of pedestrians. It noted increasing pedestrian accidents along the highway since it was widened.

The RDC, chaired by Bulacan Gov. Willie Sy-Alvarado, designated businessman Rene Romero as head of the task force, whose members include representatives from the Department of Public Works and Highways and other concerned government agencies.

“The government spent around P8.4 billion for the widening and rehabilitation of MacArthur Highway. But why do we still experience heavy traffic? Because there are vendors and other obstructions along its shoulders,” Sy-Alvarado said.

The governor cited DPWH Order No. 52, which prohibits these obstructions.

The RDC is the highest policy-making body in Central Luzon and serves as the counterpart of the National Economic and Development Authority board at the sub-national level.

Its members include all governors, city mayors, mayors of capital towns, president of municipal mayors’ league, heads of national government agencies and representatives from the private sector.