At first glance, the opening of the Clark North Interchange of the Subic-Clark-Tarlac Expressway late last year may seem simple and uneventful. But when you consider its significance to the mobility of people and the transport of goods and materials, you will appreciate that even a five-kilometer stretch can make a big difference in the economic and social life of people and communities.

The expressway, a 94-km highway connecting Subic and Clark, is a watershed infrastructure project intended  as a backbone of development  in the once lahar-ravaged Central Luzon, as well as North Luzon. Thanks to this impressive road network, motorists and commuters can travel to that part of the country with greater speed and safety. There is never a dull moment during the 40-minute trip through this four-lane road artery because of the breathtaking scenery along the way. Going to and from Subic, you marvel at the sight of layers of mountains in bold or misty blue, of lush forests, fruit orchards, unspoiled rivers and farmers tilling their vegetable plots or tending to their carabaos. Motorists who negotiated the expressway for the first time could not but feel a sense of pride as a Filipino, awe-struck by this masterwork of engineering.

Despite the threat of economic recession, business in the Clark and Subic economic zones is robust as ever.  The vision to transform Central Luzon into a leading logistics hub in Asia is being translated into reality as the government builds the necessary infrastructure, the most essential of which is a safe and reliable, world-class road network.

Locators, investors and customers at the Clark special economic zone are most pleased at the completion of the Clark North Interchange. Prior to the opening of this vital adjunct of the SCTEx, they had to cope with the daily ordeal of heavy traffic in that portion of the superhighway.

Sometime this March, the Clark South Interchange will also open.  This road link leads directly to the Diosdado Macapagal International Airport, thus making it easier for travelers from North Luzon and from Clark or Subic to catch their domestic or international flight.

Two more interchanges?in Floridablanca and Porac?are still under construction.  When completed, the southern part of Pampanga will be connected to the national mainstream via the SCTEx.

Reputed to be the country?s longest expressway, the SCTEx was officially opened to motorists in April last year. The four-lane expressway was built at a cost of P27.4 billion which was sourced from the Japan Bank for International Cooperation.

It has 34 bridges, four of them major ones spanning 300 meters long or more. Overall, the existing interchanges?including those in Dinalupihan, Bataan, Subic Tipo Tipo in Zambales, Luisita in Tarlac and Tarlac City? have encouraged people to travel to the Subic-Clark areas through the new expressway with its many access points.  Even motorists and businessmen from Nueva Ecija, Isabela, Cagayan, Pangasinan, La Union, Baguio City and Benguet in the North have been greatly benefited, having seen for themselves how fast and convenient travel via this route has become.

Even cynics concede that the Bases Conversion Development Authority, led by its president and chief operating officer Narciso Abaya, has done its job of overseeing the construction of the SCTEx. And the expressway is living to the high expectation of improving accessibility to the Subic-Clark areas in line with the ambitious plan to transform Central Luzon into a super region that would lure foreign and local investors and integrate all economic activities in the two special economic zones and the Central Techno Park in Tarlac. Indeed, the expressway has not only changed the landscape of this flourishing and resource-rich region but also quickened the pace of industry and trade there.  The end-result: more jobs and income-generating activities and a brighter future for the people.

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Upon hearing the news that fellow journalist Cerge Remonde was handpicked by President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, we were not sure whether to pat him in the back or commiserate with him. Being the press czar of government is the highest honor and peak of achievement that any media practitioner can reach. But we all know the hardships and travails that the holder of the glamorous position faces, given the string of controversies that are hounding the administration and the fact that the popularity of the Chief Executive has hit rock-bottom a long time ago.

We came to know Cerge when he assumed the post of press undersecretary for broadcast during the early years of the Arroyo presidency.  Before he was tapped for this position, he was a seasoned and prominent broadcaster in Cebu.  Like other newsmen, I found it easy to strike a rapport with him because he was friendly, humble and helpful.  He always had something good to say, pleasant news to share whenever we would meet. And our path would cross very often because he was holding office at a room right beside the Press Working Area at the ground floor of the Kalayaan Hall in Malaca?ang.

If I am not mistaken, he served as deputy to three press secretaries ? Noel Cabrera, Herminio Braganza, and Ignacio Bunye.  During the times that the post of OPS head became vacant, Cerge was always mentioned as one of the candidates.  We were told that he had a moist eye on the position.  But I never heard a word from him that he was coveting it.

In the Cabinet rigodon that followed President Arroyo?s election to fresh mandate in 2004, Remonde was taken out of the OPS but was promoted to a position with a Cabinet rank?as head of the Presidential Management Staff.  Of course, we were not pleased to see him leaving the information function. Little did we know that by assuming the helm at the PMS? the think tank and coordinator of presidential activities?he would be more useful to us.  As part of the President?s inner circle and member of the Cabinet, Cerge had access to information at the highest level, including new appointments to Cabinet and other key positions and major policy decisions. He allowed this journalist to have direct access to him through his cell phone number.  And that is how I got ?scoops??Palace stories for which I would be forever grateful to him.

As PMS chief, Cerge acquired powers that were perhaps behind his expectations. He was responsible for evaluating and recommending projects to be supported by the P2-billion Presidential Support Fund. He became chief of the presidential task force to monitor flagship infrastructure projects. And he was tasked by the President to oversee the government?s lending program for micro, small and medium-sized industries. These were powers that he would never have the privilege to wield had he stayed at the OPS.

Cerge?s appointment as press chief, succeeding Secretary Jesus Dureza (who was named chief presidential legal counsel), came too suddenly. I could only surmise that he had some misgivings about relinquishing his post as PMS because he had learned to love it so much. His subordinates had come to love him, as well, so much that when he cleared his desk and bade goodbye to them, tears rolled down their cheeks.

In his new role as press secretary, Cerge will find his path strewn with obstacles and frustrations. He will probably stay in that post until Mrs. Arroyo steps down in 2010. We are sure and confident that our esteemed friend, with his capabilities, vast experience and excellent ties with the media community, will do justice and make his mark in his newfound role.