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Republic of the Philippines 5
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES) ~ 0
Quezon City i

SIXTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

House Bill No._ 33.

Introduced by HON. ALETA C. SUAREZ

EXPLANATORY NOTE

Anticle 2, Section 10 of the 1987 Constitution provides that:

"The State shall promote social justice in all phases of national development."

The 2009 Global Competi

eness Report published by the World Economic Forum ranks

the Philippines 98th out of 133 countries in terms of quality and quantity of infrastructure. The

Philippines’ ranking was the second worst in the Southeast Asian region, faring better only to

‘Timor Leste. Even Cambodia, whose per capita is lower at $602 in 2007 compared to the
Philippines’ $1,624, ranks higher.
The link between investments in infrastructure and economic growth is well established

in the literature. Various studies reveal that there is a positive correlation between infrastructure,

economic growth and, ultimately, poverty reduction. Investments in infrastructure can generate

positive externalities throughout an economy, leading to social returns that exceed private
returns," as affirmed by Asian Development Bank Institute in its study "The Benefits of Regional
Infrastructure Investment in Asia: A Quantitative Exploration.”

| Aneefficient 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,

* www-adbi.org/working-paper/2010/06/30/3923


and d) good infrastructure also improves a country’s growth prospects by strengthening its
investment climate thereby making it attractive to foreign investors.”

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.

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

2nd District, Quezon Province

? World Bank 2005


10

ny

Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

SIXTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

383i
House Bill No.

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 of the Philippines in Congress
assembled.

Section 1. Title — This Act shall be known as the Pacific Palisades Act of 2010

Section 2. Declaration of Policy — \t is hereby declared the policy of the State to
prioritize infrastructure projects intended to stimulate and catalyze economic and entrepreneurial
activity and development 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 the 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 in order to benefit from

the private sector’s resources, expertise, know-how and other capabilities.

Section 3. Coverage - This Act shall apply to the Department of Public Works and

Highways and the appropriate provincial, city and municipal governments.


Section 4. Construction of Pacific Palisades Superhighway ~ A national superhighway
connecting the provinces of Bicol, Quezon, Aurora, Quirino, Isabela and Cagayan shall be

constructed under the primary supervision of the Department of Public Works and Highways.

Section 5. Effectivity - This Act shall take effect fifteen days (15 days) after its complete

publication in at least two (2) newspapers of general circulation.

Approved