Pogi, Geld hail opening of Atlu Bola bypass road
PROGRESS. At the opening of the Atlu Bola Bypass Road are DPWH Sec.Vince Dizon, Gov. Lilia Pineda, Vice Gov. Dennis Pineda, Rep. Carmelo“Pogi” Lazatin Jr., Mayor Geld Aquino, Vice Mayor Jun Castro, NLEXPresident Luis Reñon and other officials. MCN Photo
By Joey Pavia
MABALACAT CITY – Pampanga First District Rep. Carmelo “Pogi” Lazatin Jr. and Mayor Geld Aquino of this city hailed the opening of the Atlu Bola Bypass Road on Friday after nearly six years of delay.
Lazatin disclosed that some 80 meters of the bypass road was completed in less than two months of construction, allowing vehicles to reach the northern portion of the city after exiting the Sta. Ines Exit of NLEX.
The solon said the opening of the 1.2-kilometer bypass road will spur growth in the “raw areas” surrounding the road.
“I told Mayor Geld to carefully study the development of the area around the road so that it will contribute to more economic growth in the city,” said Lazatin.
Aquino said the completion of the bypass road in less than nine months after he assumed office as mayor will drastically reduce traffic along MacArthur Highway and in the city proper, where several business establishments, including the public market, are located.
He also thanked NLEX and PNOC officials for the completion of the project after a long delay.
Aquino added, “I want to especially thank Department of Public Works and Highways Secretary Vince Dizon for ordering the completion of the bypass road construction when he visited the site last February.”
The mayor said the opening of the road is timely due the rising cost of fuel.
Pampanga Gov. Lilia Pineda and her son, Vice Gov. Dennis Pineda, also attended the simple ceremony marking the opening of the bypass road.
Vice Mayor Jun Castro said they will push for and study the proposal of Gov. Pineda to turn the area around the bypass road into a “business district.”
The road connects motorists to Barangays Mangalit and Atlu Bola.
