Metro Pacific Tollways Corp. (MPTC) subsidiary MPCALA Holdings Inc. yesterday said it has paid P4.4 billion in concession fees for the Cavite-Laguna expressway (CALAX) project.
The payment was made ahead of the July 10 due date, the company said. It is the second of six tranches amounting to P27.3 billion in total concession fees under the 35-year CALAX concession. The first tranche of P5.46 billion was paid in July 2015.
“Despite this COVID-19 (new coronavirus disease 2019) pandemic, our work continues to serve our communities, and our people,” Manuel Pangilinan, MPTC chairman, said.
Last May, the tollways group advanced its tax payments to the Bureau of Internal Revenue valued at P1.03 billion also to help the government’s fundraising efforts amid the coronavirus pandemic.
Mark Villar, Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) secretary, said the payment will help the national government to fund development projects, high-priority resource management programs, operations and concession-support activities.
The 44.6-kilometer, four-lane CALAX toll road is partially operational with the opening of the first 10-km. portion between Mamplasan, Biñan City and Sta. Rosa City last November.
Construction is under way in the next 7.2 km. section between Sta. Rosa City and Silang, Cavite.
Once the CALAX is completed, travel time between Kawit, Cavite to Binan City, Laguna is expected to be reduced to 45 minutes from the current 90 minutes.
