DATE December 14, 2022

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Republic of the Philippines
House of Representatives
Quezon City

NINETEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

House Bill No._6676

Introduced by Representative Albert S. Garcia

EXPLANATORY NOTE

The Province of Bataan is positioned to be a major urban center within the country. With
rapid urbanization in the locality as well as several major projects and initiatives in the pipeline,
an influx of economic activity is expected in the coming years.

One of the major anticipated projects is the Bataan-Cavite Interlink bridge (BCIB). The
BCIB will connect NCR, Region III, and Region IV-A, localities that serve as major engines of
growth in Luzon, This will effectively link the major industrial areas North and South of Manila.
This will cater to approximately 42.3 million people and a combined GDP of roughly $2068.

The projected influx of economic activity into the Province of Bataan necessitates the
development of complementary infrastructure that will meet the needs of both locals and visitors
to the locality. This will entail the upgrading of existing infrastructure and the development of
new facilities to cater to the needs of the growing local economy. The Roman Superhighway,
the Province's major national road, is one such facility that will need further development and
strengthening.

With the development of the BCIB, Roman Superhighway will be servicing not just the
Province of Bataan, but all other areas that will be connected to the locality. Given this, its
conversion and maintenance as an all-weather road that will be able to maintain usability under
higher vehicular load and evolving climate conditions is necessary.

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

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6rd District, Bataan



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Republic of the Philippines
House of Representatives
Quezon City
NINETEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

House BillNo.__ 6676

Introduced by Representative Albert S. Garcia

AN ACT MANDATING THE FULL CONVERSION AND MAINTENANCE OF ROMAN
SUPERHIGHWAY IN THE PROVINCE OF BATAAN AS AN ALL-WEATHER ROAD

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

Section 1. The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) shall undertake the
full conversion of the Roman Superhighway in the Province of Bataan stretching from
the Municipality of Dinalupihan to the Municipality of Mariveles. Thereafter, the DPWH
shall continue to be responsible for the maintenance of Roman Highway and shall
ensure that it remains safe and optimally serviceable.

Section 2. The DPWH, in coordination with the Region Ill Regional Office of the
Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) and the Provincial
Government of Bataan, shall evaluate and assess the current condition of Roman
Superhighway to identify the necessary engineering works to be undertaken for the
conversion of the said road. Relative thereto, a feasibility study shall be conducted by
the DPWH to primarily plan the extent and duration of the conversion of Roman
Superhighway into an all-weather road

Section 3. In its conversion into an all-weather road, Roman Superhighway shall have
the following characteristics:

a) Maintains trafficability by vehicles under all types of weather conditions including
torrential rains and flooding
b) The capacity to maintain optimal trafficability even with high vehicular load

Section 4, Within thirty (30) days from the effectivity of this Act, the DPWH, the DENR,
in consultation with the Provincial Government of Bataan, private sector experts and
other stakeholders shall promulgate the necessary rules and regulations for the proper
and effective implementation of this Act. In formulating the said rules and regulations,


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the characteristics indicated in Section 3 of this Act shall be further defined in
Consideration of local environmental conditions.

Section 4. The amount necessary to cover the rehabilitation and maintenance of
Roman Highway shall be included in the annual General Appropriations Act.

Section 5. This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its publication in the Official
Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation.