INTRODUCTION
I come here today to personally see the developments in the Manila-Rizal-Laguna-Quezon (Marilaque) growth corridor.

I am pleased to see Marilaque’s on-going priority projects. Marilaque’s development is our key to unleash the full growth potentials of the eastern side of Luzon.

Marilaque’s comparative advantage from other growth zones is that it sits right beside metro manila — the country’s busiest and biggest metropolis. Extending road infrastructures towards this eastern corridor will open vast potentials for various businesses and at the same time provide ease to those already existing. The place also boasts of natural resources that may be tapped to build necessary facilities to support the growth of the area. These are just some of the reasons why there is a need to hasten the projects for Marilaque.
SEVEN HIGH IMPACT PROJECTS
We have identified four existing and three proposed high impact projects that are geared to act as the anchors of Marilaque’s progress. They are the Marikina-Infanta Road, the Lungsod Silangan, the Laiban Dam Project, the Manggahan Floodway Socialized Housing Project, the Rizal Industrial Estate, the Metro Manila-Quezon Railway Project and the Forest Value Recovery System (FVRS).

The Marikina-Infanta Road is a 108 kilometer, 4-lane tollway that stretches from Marikina-Cogeo-Bosoboso, Rizal all the way to Infanta, Quezon.

The Lungsod Silangan project aims to develop over one hundred and eighty thousand hectares of land covering the provinces of Rizal, laguna and Quezon into a community consisting of mini-farms, industrial facilities, agro-forestry estates and housing to the people located there. Studies of this project is now in the hands of the Marilaque Commission.

The Laiban Dam Project which has already concluded feasibility and detailed engineering studies is geared at curbing the worsening water crisis in Metro Manila. When completed, the dam should provide water to over 5 million people. Additionally, its capacity to generate an additional 23 megawatts of power will also help provide electricity to the surrounding vicinities of Laiban.

The Manggahan Floodway Socialized Housing Project which is located in a 10 kilometer stretch of land in both embankments traversing across the two municipalities of Cainta and Taytay, Rizal and the city of Pasig provides our countrymen a wholesome and productive community through the provision of decent and affordable housing.

The proposed 326-hectare Rizal Industrial Estate in Tanay which is owned by the Rizal provincial government is aimed at locating light and medium industries estimated to generate jobs for over 20,000 residents of Rizal and its surrounding area.

The Forest Value Recovery System is Rizal’s contribution to the nation’s environmental concerns. By applying state-of-the-art technologies, the program targets the recovery of a forest ecosystem within the corridor to balance industrialization and nature conservation.

The proposed Metro-Manila Quezon Railway Project will pass through Mandaluyong, Pasig and in the heart of Rizal that will provide an efficient transportation facility to commuters and containerized cargo.
STRESSING UNITY AMONG LEADERS
I understand that some of the studies and proposals of these projects are already with the Marilaque commission and are currently being reviewed.

I wish to remind you that all these projects is an integral part of what we wish Marilaque to become.

The success of one project is dependent on the success of the other projects and programs. We need to act in a unified manner through constant consultation with the concerned agencies to come up with an agreed plan of action. We need to respect each other’s’ views and recommend what is best for the future of the people who will eventually reside in this growth corridor.

To minimize delays in the construction of our roadways, I urge our project contractors to work closely with the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH).

The proper coordination of all Marilaque projects is a matter that we have to take into serious consideration. We all need to look into the totality of our development efforts and put aside any parochial interests.
CLOSING
In closing, I urge the local executives, the project contractors and people of Marilaque to jointly work for the early completion of these projects, as I reiterate my commitment to help — as you help yourselves — develop Marilaque’s full growth potential.

Thank you and good morning to all.