Public Works and Highways Secretary Mark Villar told the Cabinet on Tuesday night the opening of the Skyway Stage 3 project would be delayed by at least three months to give way to the rebuilding of the structures that collapsed during a recent fire in Manila.
Chief Presidential Legal Counsel Salvador Panelo, concurrent presidential spokesman, said Villar reported during the Cabinet meeting the Skyway project is 80 percent complete but the recent fire in Pandacan had caused the collapse of a portion of the Skyway.
“As a result of the damage, the opening of the project shall, however, be pushed back by at least three months to July 2020. Secretary Villar said that there is no such thing as a structure which is fireproof. Thus, the damaged portion needs to be reconstructed,” Panelo said.
The Skyway was originally scheduled to open between April and May.
Panelo said Villar assured that despite the delay in the project, the decongestion of EDSA would still be possible within the term of President Duterte.
The Skyway project will cut travel time from the North Luzon Expressway (NLEX) to Makati and vice versa to 15 minutes.
In a television interview, Villar said the burnt portion and collapsed area must first be demolished and removed to be able to rebuild a new structure. This would ensure the safety and sturdiness of the structure.
San Miguel Corp., proponent of the project, hopes to complete its work by July.
Villar expressed hope the delay would not extend up to the last quarter of the year.
