Press Release
March 1, 2010

NLEX-SLEX link-up to boost tourism

LA TRINIDAD, Benguet--Nacionalista Party standard-bearer Manny Villar is supporting the link-up of the South Luzon Expressway (SLEX) to the North Luzon Expressway (NLEX).

Villar said this will allow people coming from the southern provinces like Batangas, Cavite, Laguna, Quezon, Rizal and even those in the Bicol Region to come to Baguio City without having to pass the traffic-prone EDSA, thus boosting the tourism industry of the Summer Capital.

Pre-feasibility technical studies on the 13-kilometer expressway between C3 in Caloocan City and the end of the Skyway in Buendia in Makati to connect NLEX and SLEX are currently being conducted.

Talking to reporters over breakfast at a local restaurant, Villar said aside from the circumferential link between NLEX and SLEX, he will push for the regreening of Baguio to restore the city's former glory if elected president.

"Baguio should be 'green' again. I want to restore it to what it was--beautiful, full of pine trees, soothing and a real tourist destination," the former Senate president said.

Villar said he does not want to see the tourism potentials of Baguio go to waste, noting that the beauty of city is being lost to rapid development that brings about problems like congestion, overpopulation and pollution.

"It has been my long dream [to revive Baguio's glory]. If I will be fortunate [to win the presidential election], it will be one of my priorities on my first day in office. I will finish it before my term ends," he said.

"It can be done," Villar added.

Of all the country's tourist spots, Villar said he considers the cities of Baguio and Tagaytay in Cavite as among his favorite vacation destinations.

Villar arrived here at about 8 a.m. to visit this town's vegetable trading post and market before attending the "Panagbenga" or flower festival, an annual event he never misses.

"Paborito ko talaga ang festival na ito. Maganda kasi at napakahalaga nito sa Baguio," he said.

Villar was accompanied by his running mate Sen. Loren Legarda, NP senatorial bets Bongbong Marcos, Liza Maza, Ramon Mitra III, Satur Ocampo, Gilbert Remulla, and representatives of Susan Ople and detained Marine Col. Ariel Querubin.

News Latest News Feed