Task Force Project Balik MacArthur
The Regional Development Council (RDC) has passed a resolution favorably endorsing the reactivation of Task Force Project Balik MacArthur (TF-PBM) which shall oversee traffic management, and vehicular and pedestrian safety of one of the busiest arterial roads in the country.
Private Sector Representative Rene Romero shall head it in partnership with the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) and concerned local government units.
“The government spent around PhP8.4 billion for the widening and rehabilitation of MacArthur Highway from Caloocan City to Tarlac but why do we experience heavy traffic now? Because there are vendors and other obstructions in its shoulders,” RDC Chair and Bulacan Governor Wilhelmino Sy-Alvarado said.
“We have an existing DPWH Department Order No.52 series of 2003 which prohibits these obstructions. Hence, TF-PBM should write and remind all establishments within MacArthur Highway about this, that they do not have parking spaces for their customers at the shoulders of the highway and they will face closure for violation,” Zambales Governor and former DPWH Secretary Hermogenes Ebdane reiterated.
RDC earlier created TF-PBM to implement strategies to address traffic congestions and increase in vehicular and pedestrian accidents.
It achieved positive results from the conduct of multi-sectoral consultations and site inspections not only to ease these problems but to also rev up economic activities in the area.
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 subnational level.
It is the primary institution that coordinates and sets the direction of all economic and social development efforts in the region and serves as a forum where local efforts can be related and integrated with national development activities.
Council members include all governors, city mayors, municipal mayors of capital towns, presidents of municipal mayors’ league, regional directors of national government agencies and representatives from the private sector. (PIA 3)