The Laguna Lakeshore Road Network Project aims to provide a link for the expansion of economic activities between Metro Manila and CALABARZON through the Cavite–Laguna Expressway (CaLax), Daang Hari-SLEX Link Road, and the South Luzon Expressway (SLEX) Toll Road 4 which extends up to Lucena City in Quezon Province.
CALABARZON’s Proximity to Metro Manila
The five provinces that comprise Region IV-A, a region of great natural beauty, are Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Rizal, and Quezon, it is also known as the Southern Tagalog Mainland. According to the Philippine Statistics Authority, the region is the most populous region in the country, having over 14.4 million inhabitants in 2020. It is also said to be next to National Capital Region (NCR) when it comes to the most densely populated region.
CALABARZON is located in the southeast of Metro Manila and is bordered by Central Luzon to the north, Tayabas Bay and the Sibuyan Sea to the south, Manila Bay to the west, and Bicol Region to the east. Tourists and even Metro Manila residents often visit CALABARZON to unwind because it’s just 3 hours away from the city!
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They often head straight to Batangas for its rich heritage culture towns and world-class dive site and beautiful beaches, or even the world’s smallest volcano, Taal. Or even hike up to Mount Pico de Loro and Mount Batulao to enjoy the breathtaking view of nature. Also popular in CALABARZON are the hot springs in Laguna and private resorts that are perfect for group outings! The promising city of Lucena also attracts a lot of visitors because of its religious monuments and natural attractions. As for Quezon province, a coconut plantation is a must, as well as its nearby beaches and island resorts, are a must-see. Meanwhile, Cavite, where Tagaytay, the popular holiday town, is located, still remains a crowd’s favorite place in South Luzon for a quick getaway over the weekend. Lastly, Rizal, a perfect place for overviewing visits because of its high elevation. With its capital Antipolo City, where the popular pilgrimage site for the Virgin of Antipolo in its cathedral is located, you can find the Masungi Georeserve conservation area for a fun nature trip with its caves and its panoramic viewing platform with suspended netting above the karst. You can also visit its famous Mount Daraitan and the Tinipak River for their sunset views, rapids, and cave swimming. The good news for everyone who frequently traverses South Luzon to Manila back and forth and all these amazing, exciting, and fun activities in the south can now be reached in just a shorter time through the Laguna Lakeshore Road Network Project of the government.
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Shorter Travel Time to be Achieved with Laguna Lakeshore Road Network Project
Yes, you’ve read it right, you will now travel with fewer hours because of this amazing project by the government. The Laguna Lakeshore Road Network Project aims to provide a link for the expansion of economic activities between Metro Manila and CALABARZON through the Cavite–Laguna Expressway (CaLax), Daang Hari-SLEX Link Road, and the South Luzon Expressway (SLEX) Toll Road 4 which extends up to Lucena City in Quezon Province. It will strengthen further the road transport efficiency towards Metro Manila and regions in South Luzon as well as in the nearby regions. Because of this development infrastructure program, will attract more investors, and create more opportunities for stakeholders– leading to the creation of more jobs, decongested traffic, efficient and reliable mobility of goods and services, and many more benefits.
The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) authorities have already met with Laguna Lake Development Authority (LLDA) officials and other consultants to discuss plans regarding the detailed engineering design (D.E.D.) activities as well as the technical, economical, social, and environmental aspects of the Laguna Lakeshore Road Network (LLRN) Project. The Laguna Lakeshore Road Network (LLRN) Project is one of the seven projects under the Infrastructure Preparation and Innovation Facility (IPIF) that seeks to aid the Department of Public Works and Highways to yield more effective, efficient, and innovative infrastructure projects all over the Philippines in accordance with the Build Build Build Program by the National Government. Likewise, the Laguna Lakeshore Road Network will be built in the vicinity of Laguna de Bay, which has two phases of a road network scheme. The first Phase, called Phase I will move along the western coastline of the Lake while the second Phase will expand in the Northern to Southern coastline through an eastern route. It is Phase I which has an ongoing study for the project. Phase 1 will expand up to 37 kilometers of mainline road on Laguna Lake’s western side and will have 6 kilometers of local connecting roads, and 7 kilometers of interchanges and slip roads.
The proposed Laguna Lakeshore Road Network (LLRN) Project has already started its detailed engineering design (DED) last December 2021 according to the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) and will be carried out for 15 months until February 2023. Based on the graphics provided by the officials, the new Laguna Lakeshore Road Network (LRRN) will have 3 lanes per direction. It has a total approximate length of 37 kilometers that will be built from the west shoreline of Laguna Lake. There will also be eight (8) interchanges– Sucat, Lower Bicutan, Alabang, Tunasan, San Pedro/Biñan, Santa Rosa, Cabuyao and Calamba. Because of these extensive interchanges, it will provide more access to at least seven cities on the western side of Laguna Lake and will be easier for motorists to access road municipal boundaries at the nearest public road. Another good news for our cyclists is that there will be a cycling track and promenade from Tunasan, Muntinlupa to San Pedro, Laguna. Yay for safer and longer distance biking trips! Although we’ll have to wait a little longer before any physical construction of an expressway that will connect the southern province of Laguna to Metro Manila via Laguna Lake can begin, still, this Laguna Lakeshore Road Network (LLRN) Project will surely come to reality in just a matter of time.
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However, this Laguna Lakeshore Road Network project by the government is not new at all. It was already started by then-President Noynoy Aquino under the Public-Private Partnership (PPP) in 2016, then called the Laguna Lakeshore Expressway Dike Project (LLEDP), but was terminated due to failed bidding and consorted strong resistance from the Laguna lake fishers, settlers, and other sectors concerned in the brackish lake. The various concerned individuals and sectors such as fisherfolk, residents, and environmentalists highly opposed this project because according to them, this will pose a grave threat to the fragile marine environment and species of the 90-thousand hectare lake. It will further deprive the around 4.9 million fisherfolk and urban poor families of their livelihood and coastal community. Nevertheless, the project was still revived and pushed through, with what is now called Laguna Lakeshore Road Network (LLRN) Project, because according to the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), the Laguna lake mega-dike will be crucial for the transformation of the Laguna de Bay into an eco-tourism zone.
How will we benefit from the Laguna Lakeshore Road Network (LLRN) Project ?
So what’s in for the CALABARZON and Metro Manila residents if this Laguna Lakeshore Road Network project will finally come into reality?
1. Accessibility
Firstly and foremost, of course, it will provide a more accessible alternative route and will probably result in decongested traffic in both CALABARZON and Metro Manila areas.
2. Alternative Living Area
Secondly, those who want to fulfill their dreams of owning a house and lot in a nearby suburban province may be able to achieve it now with this infrastructure project. We all know that the ideal place of living comes with a huge cost, more so if you’re living in Metro Manila, where the rates of properties are just exorbitant and ridiculously high. But the good thing is there is now a more accessible alternative area that is becoming not so far away from Metro Manila. This article from BRIA Homes, will help you decide whether you should consider buying real estate now in Laguna–Laguna: The Next Residential Hub?
3. Affordable Housing Options
Thirdly, now that the residents in National Capital Region (NCR) are rapidly increasing and becoming overpopulated, some will consider moving away from it and finding another place in the nearby suburban provinces. Read this for more insight, Bria Homes Exhibits Growth in San Pablo, Laguna Amidst Pandemic.
