INTRODUCTION
We inaugurate today the first part of a road project that provides an integral link to a network that, when completely finished, will make the movement of people, goods and services to and from the bustling cities of Metro Manila and the booming provinces in Southern Luzon much faster, safer and more convenient.

In the process, commerce in this part of Luzon — at the core of Calabarzon — will be greatly enhanced.

This 22.16-kilometer Sto. Tomas-Lipa City Road — which has cost the government p1.72 billion to build — is an important component of the Southern Tagalog Access Road (STAR) Project, and is one of the several major infrastructure undertakings being implemented by the government through the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH).

It is one of the requirements for the full development of the Port of Batangas — which we inaugurated just recently — as an alternate port to the Port of Manila.

Hence, the STAR Project does not only involve the building of roads that would cut travel time; the project, more than anything else, shall — once fully finished — be the expressway of progress to this fast-developing area.
ACHIEVING ECONOMIC FREEDOM
This administration started six years ago, literally amidst darkness. Today, we have the amazing precedent of the country appearing on the cover of a number of internationally influential publications such as TIME, Newsweek and Asiaweek magazines — because our country has become a model of economic development within a democratic framework in this part of the globe.

You and I, together, turned on the lights; built highways and bridges; and launched mass transit systems and skyways that enabled us to reach higher goals in our national life.

Over the past six years, we have completed the construction or rehabilitation of 36,050 kilometers of roads and 45,464 lineal meters of bridges.

It has been our belief that spurring development efforts through the setting up of effective road networks and the rehabilitation of damaged or substandard ones should place us in a more productive and competitive position.

Infrastructure development is one legacy that this administration is happy to leave to the Filipino people. I am glad that the next leadership has found it appropriate to continue and even improve upon this performance — as proven by Vice President/President-elect Joseph Ejercito Estrada’s decision to retain Secretary Gregorio R. Vigilar as head of the DPWH.
CLOSING
The STAR Project — to which this Sto. Tomas-Lipa City Road Project belongs — would certainly help fire up the enterprising spirit of our brothers and sisters in Central Luzon.

To the men and women of the DPWH, my commendations for a job well done.

My sincere appreciation also to the support and assistance extended and being extended by the local leadership — from the congressmen and governors, to the mayors and barangay officials.

Mabuhay ang Pilipinas!

Maraming salamat at mabuhay tayong lahat!