CALOOCAN CITY, Jan. 31 (PIA) -- Department of Public Works and Highways Secretary Mark Villar pointed out over the weekend that the projects under the Build, Build, Build program of the Duterte administration would continue amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

During a televised report over the weekend, Villar stressed that each infrastructure project contributes a lot to the quick recovery of the economy, in providing jobs, and in the development of rural areas.

"Gusto naming ipakita na napakalaki ng tulong ng Build, Build, Build [program] sa ating ekonomiya, dahil nagbibigay ng trabaho at nagkakaroon din ng development sa ating mga provincial areas," he said.

"So, double po 'yung benefit ng Build, Build, Build, in many ways-habang ginagawa at kapag nagawa na," he added.

One of the government's major projects in Metro Manila that is set to be completed this year is the first five kilometers of the soon-to-open NLEX-SLEX Connector. Villar, along with NLEX Corporation president and general manager J. Luigi Bautista, have already inspected the project earlier along 4th Avenue in Caloocan City.

The DPWH chief said the construction progress of the project is currently at just 16%. However, right-of-way delivery for the whole alignment is now 81%. With that, Villar is optimistic that the first five kilometers of the NLEX-SLEX Connector are complete by year's end.

Set to link Harbor Link and Skyway, the toll road will serve as a direct link for motorists and truckers that need to get from the Port of Manila to the south of the metro, and vice versa.

It will traverse the C3 Road in Caloocan City, pass through Abad Santos, Dimasalang, Magsaysay Boulevard, and eventually reach Skyway Stage 3 near the Polytechnic University of the Philippines (PUP) in Sta. Mesa, Manila.

The four-lane elevated toll road will have four toll plazas, along with interchanges in C3 and Espana.

When finished, the elevated road will provide better access to the Port of Manila and airports such as NAIA and Clark International Airport. Travel time between NLEX and SLEX could go from two hours to just 20 minutes.

With Skyway Stage 3 already providing a direct link between Alabang and Balintawak, the upcoming NLEX-SLEX Connector will further free up traffic in Metro Manila once it's finished. (PIA NCR)