At the same time, the same officials said the project would permit the eastern part of NCR easy access to both Northern and Southern Luzon.

Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA) Chairman Bayani Fernando vowed to support the project and is optimistic that the long-delayed road link project would be a tool to decongest the region.

Provincial officials from Bulacan and Rizal called on Fernando to make the necessary representation with President Arroyo to open possible avenues towards boosting economic developmenty in their areas that abut the National Capital Region (NCR).

They stressed that the proper time has come for the project to push through since the franchise of the Philippine National Construction Corp. (PNCC) on the North Luzon Expressway (NLEX) ends in 2007.

The proposed road link hopes to be the start of interconnecting economic growth centers of nearby provinces to Metro Manila while providing motorists with alternative routes that would hopefully ease the traffic snarl that grips major thoroughfares like Epifanio de los Santos Ave. (EDSA) and Circumferential Road 5 (C-5).

AUnder the proposed project, the North and South Luzon Expressways would be linked from Marilao, Bulacan to Upper Bicutan in Parañaque, from Laguna de Bay to Bicutan up to San Pedro, Laguna and the C-6 segment from San Pedro, Laguna going to the Cavite Coastal Road in Noveleta, Cavite.

It also involves the construction of eight interchanges from Bicutan going north and traversing the towns and Taguig City in Metro Manila, Taytay, Antipolo City, San Mateo and Montalban in Rizal.

As MMDA and Regional Development Council (RDC) chairman of Metro Manila, Fernando stressed that the proposed C-6 projects complements the beautification and refurbishing of the seven major roads under the "Metro Guwapo" project of President Arroyo.

Among the major thoroughfares that are covered by the project are Marcos Highway, EDSA. Quezon Ave., Commonwealth Ave., MacArthur Highway and other roads leading to the airports.

Bulacan and Rizal officials and representatives of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), PNCC and the Tollways Regulatory Board (TRB) called on Fernando at the MMDA main office in Makati City to discuss the proposal.