House panel approves renaming NLEX to Corazon Aquino Expressway

North Luzon Expressway (Wikipedia photo)

MANILA — The House Committee on Public Works and Highways has approved a proposal to rename the North Luzon Expressway (NLEX) to President Corazon C. Aquino Expressway (CAEX).

The committee chaired by Rep. Ronald M. Cosalan (Lone District, Benguet) approved House Bill No. 4820 authored by Rep. Magnolia Rosa C. Antonino ( 4th District, Nueva Ecija) who said the NLEX renaming will bestow distinct honor and perpetuate the memory of the late President Corazon Aquino, an icon of democracy.

“If favorably passed into law, it will constantly remind us of the noble deeds of the late President, especially for the poor, and inspire our people to emulate her example of selfless service to the nation while her exceptional courage and leadership gave hope and united the Filipino people at a critical time in the country’s history,” said Antonino.

Built in the 1960s, Antonino said the NLEX is an 84-kilometer highway maintained by the Manila North Tollways Corporation, a subsidiary of Metro Pacific Investments Corporation. It is one of the country’s main road arteries and has a daily traffic of over 16,000 cars.

The NLEX was formerly called the Manila North Diversion Road and Manila North Expressway (MNEX) and officially known as Radial Road 8. It is a two to eight limited-access toll expressway linking Metro Manila to the provinces of the Central Luzon Region.

The NLEX starts from Quezon City and passes through Caloocan City and Valenzuela City in Metro Manila, Meycauayan, Marilao, Bocaue, Balagtas, Guiguinto, Malolos, Plaridel and Pulilan in Bulacan, San Simon, San Fernando, Mexico and Angeles City in Pampanga. It ends in Mabalacat City in Pampanga and merges with the MacArthur Highway, continuing northward into the rest of Central and Northern Luzon.

The bill mandates the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) to implement the provisions of the Act.