Wider sidewalks, dedicated bike lanes, better public utility vehicle (PUV) stops, and underground cabling are among the pedestrian-friendly features in the pipeline in Naga City.
The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) plans to revamp M.T. Villanueva Avenue, a section of the national highway in Naga City, to provide safer and more convenient travel for commuters and pedestrians. DPWH Secretary Vince Dizon recently visited Naga City to inspect the latest developments aimed at making Naga’s roads safer and more commuter-friendly.
MT Villanueva redevelopment
In a video reel shared on DPWH’s page, Dizon and Naga City mayor Leni Robredo conducted site visits along M.T. Villanueva (formerly known as Liboton Street), in Naga City. The proposed redevelopment is set to transform the area into a safer, greener, and more pedestrian-friendly corridor.
Artist’s perspectives show the vision for wider shared walkways and bike lanes, dedicated lay-bys for vehicles, covered waiting sheds for public transport users and commuters, continuous pedestrian paths, and tactile pavement indicators to improve accessibility for persons with disabilities. Plans also show the road lined with trees to provide shade for pedestrians.
During the site visit, mayor Robredo shared that the project was vital as the national highway is one of the busiest areas in the city. Several schools and commercial establishments are located along the street. She pointed out that while Naga City is a small city, many people are discouraged from walking because of the lack of proper sidewalks.
According to the mayor, DPWH confirmed that the work on M.T. Villanueva has finally been bid out, with the zone set to become the country’s official model for active urban mobility.
Underground cabling
Together with the proposed underground cabling system, the redevelopment also aims to create a cleaner, more organized, and more modern streetscape for Naga City with wire-free streets through underground cabling.
National Electrification Administration administrator Antonio Mariano Almeda also joined the meeting with DPWH and mayor Robredo to discuss the proposed underground cabling project, which will begin along the same M.T. Villanueva Avenue.
The plan involves relocating existing electric and telecom lines beneath an 800-meter section of the road. According to NEA, this will make Naga’s power distribution network steadier and less prone to failure when typhoons and other severe weather hit, since the storms repeatedly batter exposed posts and cables.
"The underground cabling project aims to enhance the reliability and safety of the city’s power distribution infrastructure, particularly during severe weather conditions, through the removal of overhead utility lines,” the NEA said in a press statement cited in Inquirer.
Almeda also said the undertaking would function as a template for the rest of the country.
Robredo said the collaboration between the DPWH and NEA is crucial in making Naga a model for urban mobility, and is set to transform the street into a resilient, wire-free, and safer space for pedestrians and motorists alike.
Bypass road and bridge
The latest DPWH video updates also showed footage of site inspections and construction ongoing on the Almeda-Mabolo Bypass Road and Bridge.
This bypass road will provide an alternate route for motorists traveling from Manila to Bicol and vice versa, while skipping the busy streets of Metro Naga. It’s also planned to serve as an access road to the Bicol River Esplanade and People’s Park.
According to the DPWH, the new bypass road, which has remained idle in the last five years, could potentially make travel time more efficient, especially for those motorists on their way to Visayas and Mindanao and ease traffic congestion in Naga City. The bypass road is expected to be completed in the first quarter of 2027.
Other infrastructure projects ongoing in Naga City
In a separate online post, Robredo shared updates on how the national government has committed to several other urgent infrastructure projects that will be game changers for Naguenos. This includes:
- The completion of the Naga Airport in Pili, Camarines Sur
- The continuation of flood mitigation efforts under Oplan Kontra Baha. This includes dredging of the Naga River and Sagop Creek, as well as the opening and clearing of major waterways and drainage systems;
- The asphalt overlay of General Luna Street and other major roads in Naga.
Lots of good news for Naguenos and a win for active mobility. Stay tuned for updates.
