Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES,
Quezon City

EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

5269
House Bill No.

EXPLANATORY NOTE

The 1987 Constitution mandates the State to promote social justice in all phases of
national development.

In the recently released 2019 Global Competitiveness Report by the World
Economic Forum, the Philippines now ranks 96th out of 141 countries in terms of quality
and quantity of infrastructure. Through the years, we remain in the worst ranks in the
Southeast Asian region in terms of infrastructure development.

The direct proportionality between investments in infrastructure and economic
growth is well established in literature and practice. As affirmed by the Asian
Development Bank in its study “The Benefits of Regional Infrastructure Development in Asia:
A Quantitative Exploration”, investments in infrastructure can generate positive
externalities throughout an economy, leading to social returns that exceed private
returns. This shall contribute to poverty reduction and improvement of the quality of
life.

An efficient and well-maintained road system would allow: a) reduced prices
because of competitive transport costs; b) better access to good paying work and basic
social services; c) production and marketing of higher-value cash crops and supply of
cheaper agricultural inputs; and d) good infrastructure also improves a country’s growth
prospects by strengthening its investment climate thereby making it attractive to foreign

investors.

" worw.2cb.org/working-paper/2010/06/30/3923


A superhighway linking the provinces of Bicol, Quezon, Aurora, Quirino, Isabela,
and Cagayan will cut transportation time and hence facilitate trade among them.
Increased trade in these provinces will mean decongestion of Metro Manila because of
lesser migration to find better jobs. Basic social services can be easily delivered especially
in time of calamities. The Aurora and Cagayan ecozones linked together means an
attractive Pacific side international trading center. Overall, the potential positive impact
of this project will not only redound to the six provinces involved but to the whole
country.

This bill was filed during the 16th Congress and has been deliberated upon by the
House of Representatives’ Committees on Southern Tagalog Development and
Appropriations during the 16th Congress. This was refiled in the 17th Congress by Hon.
Danilo E. Suarez.

In view of the foregoing, the approval of this bill is earnestly sought.

(pee
HONAALETA JUAREZ

Rey tative
Third District, Quezon Province


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

5
House Bill No. ae

Introduced by HON. ALETA C. SUAREZ

AN ACT PROVIDING FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF THE PACIFIC PALISADES
SUPERHIGHWAY CONNECTING THE PROVINCES OF BICOL, QUEZON,
AURORA, QUIRINO, ISABELA, AND CAGAYAN

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in Congress assembled:

SECTION 1. Short Title. - This Act shall be known as the “Pacific Palisades Act of
2019.”

SEC. 2. Declaration of Policy. - It is hereby declared the policy of the State to
prioritize infrastructure development to stimulate and catalyze economic and
entrepreneurial activity and progress in underdeveloped rural and countryside areas, in
order to raise the standard of living and improve the quality of life for those living in and
by these provinces. It is also declared policy of the State to encourage and promote a

“dynamic and mutually advantageous public-private sector partnership in undertaking
major infrastructure projects to relieve the government's fiscal burden in undertaking
said projects and to benefit from the private sector's resources, expertise, know-how, and
other capabilities:

SEC. 3. Construction of Pacific Palisades Superhighway. - A national
superhighway connecting the provinces of Bicol, Quezon, Aurora, Quirino, Isabela, and
Cagayan shall be constructed.


SEC. 4, Implementing Agency. - The Department of Public Works and Highways,

in coordination with the appropriate provincial, city, and municipal governments and
the Department of Budget and Management, shall take charge of the implementation of
this Act.

SEC. 5. Appropriations. - The amount necessary to defray the cost of the
undertaking and completing the feasibility study for this project and other activities
relative thereto shall be included in the annual General Appropriations Act.

SEC. 6. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its publication
in the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation.

Approved.