MOA signed for Marilao East Service Road construction

Soon, motorists will have a new road in Marilao that is expected to provide a more pleasant travel experience in the area after the memorandum of agreement for the construction of the Marilao East Service Road was recently been signed.

The agreement was inked by representatives from the Department of Transportation (DOTr)-Toll Regulatory Board (TRB), NLEX Corporation, the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) and the Marilao municipal government. They are TRB Chair Arthur Tugade, DPWH Region 3 Director Roseller Tolentino, Bulacan Representative Henry Villarica, NLEX Corporation President and General Manager J. Luigi Bautista, Marilao Mayor Ricardo Silvestre, and Meycauyan Mayor Linabelle Villarica.

Tugade, who is also the DOTr Secretary, noted the importance of transportation.

“Transportation means accessibility. Accessibility also means convenience. They go hand in hand. Kaya sa kahit anumang paraan na makatutulong tayo, sa paraang makapagbibigay tayo ng ginhawa sa ating mga kababayan, hindi po magdadalawang isip ang kagawaran (the agency will not hesitate to  provide convenience to our countrymen). We are partners in the whole-of-government approach to make the lives of the Filipino people more comfortable and convenient,” Tugade said.

During the signing ceremony, TRB Executive Director Alvin Carullo assured  the agency's cooperation in the Marilao East Service Road project.

“This project shows what solidarity and harmonious relationship between the public and private sectors can bring. What the TRB can guarantee is 100-percent support and assistance for the successful completion of this project," Carullo said.

The DOTr shared that based on the agreement, NLEX Corporation gives the DPWH-Region 3 the permission to use its right-of-way (ROW) for the Marilao East Service Road Project. It starts from the Barcelona Academy, Inc. in Barangay Lias and ends at the Mario Santiago Road in Marilao, Bulacan. This will be on a temporary basis pending the acquisition of lots for the permanent Marilao East Service Road.

The DOTr clarified that the Marilao East Service Road project remains part of the NLEX and will be a limited access facility as covered in the  Republic Act 2000, which is also known as Limited Access Highway Act.

“Subject to the terms and conditions, access to the NLEX may be reasonably regulated, restricted, or prohibited by the DOTr-TRB. At all times during the effectivity of this agreement, DPWH Region 3 and the government of Marilao in Bulacan shall exert its utmost efforts to abide by NLEX Corporation's reasonable regulations regarding ingress to NLEX,” the MOA stated.

"This project will ultimately benefit the public as this will provide our host communities in Meycauayan City and Marilao better connection and improved accessibility. We are more than happy to help facilitate the mobility needs of the two growing LGUs,” NLEX Corporation President J. Luigi Bautista was quoted as saying.

Further, Marilao Mayor Silvestre said it is necessary to open a more direct local route to and from these areas to ease the expanding traffic volume at the Meycauayan-Marilao corridor.

Photos from the Department of Transportation

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