By Joyce Pangco Pa?ares

THE government will deploy three shifts over 24 hours every day to finish long-delayed road projects, including expensive programs in Cebu and Palawan, in a bid to spur employment in the countryside and help boost the economy.

The most expensive item in the government?s menu of 35 big-ticket infrastructure projects is the El Nido-Bataraza road, which will run through the entire Palawan island and cost the government about P4.3 billion, said Public Works Undersecretary Ramon Aquino.

?The social impact of this project is crucial,? Aquino said.

?It will not only create jobs in the process of construction, but it will also have a multiplier effect because Palawan will now be able to attract more tourists and generate more income for the province,? he said, adding the road would be 450 kilometers long.

?The road network will provide a more reliable, efficient and safer transport infrastructure, which will enhance the broad-based development of Palawan and further contribute to the unimpeded flow of goods and services in the province.?

The second biggest project will be the North and South Coastal road in Cebu.

According to Public Works undersecretary Rafael Yabut, President Arroyo ordered the department to ensure the P2.46-billion Cebu North Coastal road was finished within nine months, along with the remaining segments of the Cebu South Coastal road worth P226.9 million.

The 9.45-kilometer, four-lane north coastal road is expected to decongest traffic in the cities of Mandaue and Cebu.

?To meet the August timetable, the department needs to work on the project on three shifts for 24 hours everyday,? Yabut said, noting that at least P55 million was spent last year for the payment of road rights-of-way.

Yabut said the President also wanted the unfinished sections of the P6-billion Cebu South Coastal road completed within the year.

Public Works has declared the south coastal road a national road, unburdening the Cebu local government of maintenance expenses.

Aquino said the Palawan and Cebu roads were among the 35 big-ticket projects, costing at least P26 billion, that would be completed this year.

Most of the projects that are worth P200 million and more are to be implemented within the first six months. They are expected to generate at least 35,000 jobs in direct hiring alone.