CITY OF SAN FERNANDO, Pampanga (PIA) -- The administration of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. allocated a total of P126.38 billion in the 2024 national budget to fund the implementation of about 2,995 infrastructure projects in Central Luzon.

This year’s allocation for Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Region 3 represents 13.07 percent share of the agency's overall budget.

DPWH Regional Director Roseller Tolentino disclosed that it signifies a substantial increase of 29.27% compared to the previous year's budget of P97.7 billion.

Of this amount, P14.34 billion will be allocated for 140 projects to be implemented by the Regional Office, while the remaining funds will be utilized by the 16 District Engineering Offices.

“Ensuring a safe and reliable national road network system, which accounts for 18% of the region's budget, reflects the department’s core mandate and includes a total of 452 projects across Central Luzon, while 28% of the budget is allocated for constructing 430 flood control projects along major or principal rivers, emphasizing the priority given to enhancing infrastructure resilience against flooding particularly in identified flood-risk areas,” he pressed.

For his part, Assistant Regional Director Melquiades Sto. Domingo has attributed the recent rise in Central Luzon's economy to the concerted efforts in infrastructure development, specifically highlighting the completion of vital connectivity projects and multipurpose facilities by the DPWH, which have enhanced public service delivery.

“Since 2016, we have seen a steady increase in our budget, and this helped us, especially our District Engineering Offices, in the implementation of transformative projects that ushered in a new era of economic prosperity for Central Luzon, establishing the region as an economic powerhouse,” he explained.

DPWH's transformative efforts in Central Luzon may have contributed to increased business activities in the region, with numerous large enterprises significantly impacting employment and emphasizing the crucial role of infrastructure development.

"The region likewise emerged as a powerhouse in economic growth, securing the third position among all Philippine regions with an impressive 8.1% expansion. In concrete terms, the economy surged from P2.02 trillion in 2021 to a staggering P2.19 trillion in 2022, as reported by the Philippine Statistics Authority,” Sto. Domingo pointed out.

DPWH envisions that in 2024, infrastructure investments will go beyond physical structures, forming the foundation for sustained economic growth by addressing immediate needs, anticipating future demands, and fostering a positive environment for innovation, entrepreneurship, and long-term investments. (MJSC/CLJD-PIA 3)