Public Works and Highways Secretary Mark A. Villar inspected on Tuesday, February 18, 2020 the mountain road project linking the Provinces of Pangasinan and Zambales dubbed as “Daang Kalikasan” to ensure that construction is on track.
Secretary Mark Villar said that the picturesque Mangatarem-Sta. Cruz Road passing through rolling hills and mountains will soon be an emerging tourist attraction in northern Luzon.
Secretary Villar was joined in his inspection in western Pangasinan by Senior Undersecretary Rafael C. Yabut, Assistant Secretary Eugenio R. Pipo Jr., Region 1 Director Ronnel M. Tan, and Pangasinan 2nd District Engineer Edita Manuel.
In his briefing, Director Tan said that the four (4) lane, 19.45 kilometer road project starting from Tarlac-Pangasinan Road and ends at Sta. Cruz, Zambales is being constructed to further enhance trading and business activities between Pangasinan and Zambales.
With a total funding requirment of P1.5 billion, the project involves acquisition of right of way, road opening, portland concrete cement paving, 30 lineal meter bridge construction, drainage and slope protection works, and provision of safety barriers and pavement markings.
Implemented under a multi-year program, the project is being undertaken to provide both locals and tourists a more convenient travel to and from the provinces of Pangasinan and Zambales, while at the same time promoting the beauty of nature with its scenic view of mountain ranges.
“By connecting the Regions 1 and 3 through Daang Kalikasan, we can expect cheaper cost of transportation as it will reduce travel time by almost half since motorists will no longer have to go around other towns in western Pangasinan just to reach Zambales,” added Secretary Villar.
Aside from connectivity and tourism, the project is seen to spur environmental and recreational activities that will contribute to the preservation of nature in the area.