=

Republic of the Philippines i

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

SIXTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

H. B. No. 5623

Introduced by HONORABLE SCOTT DAVIES S. LANETE, M.D.

EXPLANATORY NOTE

Article XII, Section 1 of the 1987 Constitution declares, “The goals of the national
economy are a more equitable distribution of opportunities, income, and wealth; a sustained
increase in the amount of goods and services produced by the nation for the benefit of the
people; and an expanding productivity as the key to raising the quality of life for all,
especially the underprivileged”. In pursuing these goals, the Constitution provides that “all
regions of the country shall be given optimum opportunity to develop.”

However, the State has continuously failed to promote simultaneous development
among the regions. 2014 marked the opening of the Tarlac-Pangasinan-La Union
Expressway (“TPLEX”), TPLEX is the third expressway connecting the country’s capital of
Manila to the northern areas of Luzon, The construction of TPLEX has brought immediate
impact in the development of trade and tourism in Northern Luzon. It made Baguio City, a
popular tourist destination, more accessible. In fact, travel time from Manila to Baguio had
been cut short from seven hours to less than five. Thus, Baguio City has experienced an
exponential rise in the number of visiting tourists and consequently, its revenues also
increased significantly

In contrast, there are only two expressways leading to Southern Luzon ~ the North
Luzon Expressway and the Star Tollway and these two combined lead up to Batangas
Province only. Thus, compared to the expressways of Northern Luzon which cover at least
five provinces, it can be inferred Southern Luzon has been spared from development, The
promising tourist destinations located in the southern areas of Luzon have remained stagnant,
untapped and underappreciated due to difficulty in access. Along with the underdevelopment
of these areas comes the slow growth in terms of commerce, In order to pursue optimum
opportunity for development among the regions, there is therefore the need to give attention
to Southern Luzon, By constructing additional expressways that would make areas as far as
Sorsogon Province more accessible by road, only one result will be achieved — progress


Hence, this Bill seeks the construction of expressways expanding the reach of SLEX
and Star Tollway. By doing so, the State will be fulfilling its responsibility in promoting
optimum growth among the regions located in Southern Luzon. Through this Bill, it is
envisioned that there will be an improvement in the tourism industry that will translate to a
developed and progressive citizenry. Therefore, the immediate passage of this Bill is sought
for

SCOTT DAVIE!
Representative
Third District, Province of Masbate

LANETE, M.D.


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

SIXTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session
3

H.B.No,__58#

AN ACT MANDATING THE CONSTRUCTION OF
ADDITIONAL EXPRESSWAYS LEADING TO SOUTHERN LUZON

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

Ss
Act.

ION 1. Short Title. — This Act shall be known as the “Expanded South Luzon Expressway

SECTION 2. Polic}
development among

~ It is hereby declared the policy of the State to promote optimum
s regions

SECTION 3, Establishment of Expressways. ~ It is hereby mandated the construction and
establishment of additional expressways connecting Manila to the southern most province of
Luzon Island.

CTION 4. Repealing Clause. - All laws, rules, regulations, orders, circulars, and memoranda
inconsistent with any provisions of this Act are hereby repealed or modified accordingly.

SECTION 5. Separability Clause. - Should any provision of this Act be declared invalid or
unconstitutional, no other provisions hereof shall be thereby affected

SECTION 6. Appropriation. - The amount necessary for the implementation of this Act for the
first five (5) years shall be sourced out from the gross annual revenues of the Philippine Charity
Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) and thereafter in a special fund to be included in the annual General
Appropriations Act.

SECTION 7. Implementing Rules and Regulations. - The Department of Public Works and
Highways (DPWH), shall, within one (1) year after its approval prepare and issue the necessary
guidelines to implement the same

SECTION 8. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days following its publication
in at least two (2) national newspapers of general circulation,

Approved,