On our first few months in Department of Public Works and Highways, we have received the most number of complaints on Circumferential Road 6 — a toll free expressway we now call Laguna Lake Highway. At that time, it was full of large potholes — so large that we would get reports of dented exhaust pipes, mufflers or catalytic converters. It would scrape against bumpers, side skirts, and undercarriages. When it rains, the problem is even aggravated by mud and flooding.
It was at this point that Secretary Mark Villar decided to call everyone involved in the project. It was then that we realized that Circumferential Road 6 only had the specifications of a dike rather than an all-weather national highway. The project was primarily a flood control program and the road was only meant to provide access for light vehicles. It was clear, the road needed to be upgraded.
This was the start of a movement that would lead to the construction of the 10.7-kilometer Laguna Lake Highway, the first toll-free expressway with protected bicycle lanes.
Today, we’ll explore 10 big ticket projects in Calabarzon — a region composed of five provinces — Batangas, Cavite, Laguna, and Rizal and one highly urbanized city, Lucena.
Since July 2016, DPWH has completed a total of 1,764-kilometer of roads, 467 bridges, 893 flood mitigation structures, and 18,278 classrooms in CALABARZON.
Sariaya Bypass
Heading to Mt. Banahaw? Try the 7.42-kilometer Sariaya Bypass Road which starts at MSR Daang Maharlika Road and ends in Quezon Eco-tourism Road. The project has reduced the traffic volume along Daang Maharlika and Manila South Road by 40 percent. It also provides an alternate route for motorists going from Sariaya to Lucena.
2. Alaminos-San Pablo City Bypass
The 12.85-kilometer Alaminos San Pablo City Bypass Road starts at the junction of Pan Philippine Highway, traverses the junction of Alaminos-Lipa City Road and terminates in Barangay San Vicente, San Pablo City. The project which was partially opened last March 15 will cut travel time between the towns by as much as 40 minutes.
3. Tayabas Bypass Road
The Tayabas Bypass Road is part of the Luzon Spine Expressway Network which will provide an alternate route to motorists coming from the provinces of Quezon and Bicol thru the Pagsanjan-Sta Cruz-Los Baños-Calamba corridor. The 6.05-kilometer project will also provide a direct route from Lucena and Tayabas towards Sariaya, Candelaria and San Juan, saving as much as 30 minutes of travel time.
4. The East West Expressway
The 41.67-kilometer East West Expressway will construct the missing gaps to connect two national roads: Cavite-Batangas Road in the East and Ternate-Nasugbu Road in the West. It will traverse the municipalities of Silang, Amadeo, Indang, Maragondon, General Aguinaldo, Magallanes in Cavite and Nasugbu in Batangas.
5. Tagaytay Bypass Road
The 8.6-kilometer Tagaytay Bypass Road will connect two national roads: Indang Alfonso Road via Luksuhin Road and Tagaytay-Batangas Arterial Highway. The project which was partially opened in October 2020 will reduce travel time from Alfonso to Tagaytay from 53 minutes to only 33 minutes.
6. Kaykulot Diversion Road
Heading to Picnic Grove or People’s Park in The Sky? Check out the 1.7-kilometer Kaykulot Diversion road which will connect Sta. Rosa-Ulat-Tagaytay Road and Tagaytay -Laguna via Calamba Road.
7. Laguna Lake Highway
The four lane 10.7-kilometer Laguna Lake Highway will connect the province of Rizal to Metro Manila. The project which was opened in November 2018 has effectively reduced travel time from Bicutan to Taytay in Rizal from one hour to only 30 minutes.
8. The Star Tollway-Pinamucan Bypass Road
The 19-kilometer bypass road will connect high growth potential areas, such as Pinamucan in Batangas City to Star Tollway, easing current traffic congestion within Batangas, and lessening travel time by as much as 50 minutes. The project will also provide an alternate access from Star Tollway towards Taysan and Lobo, Batangas via Batangas-Lobo Road and Batangas-Tabangao-Lobo Road.
9. Batangas City-San Pascual-Bauan Diversion Road
When completed, the 10.88-kilometer Batangas City-San Pascual-Bauan Diversion Road will reduce travel between Batangas City to Bauan from two hours to only 30 minutes.
10. Lobo-Malabrigo-Laiya-San Juan Road
Heading to the beach? Check out the the 22.16-kilometer Lobo-Malabrigo-Laiya-San Juan Road which will connect the municipalities of San Juan and Lobo in Batangas.