The tollways arm of Metro Pacific Investments Corp. intends to revive two unsolicited proposals with the new administration.
These are the P25.3-billion Cavite-Tagaytay-Batangas Expressway (CTBEX) and the P92-billion North Luzon Expressway (NLEX)-Cavitex Port Expressway Link that will provide an ideal truck route to the Manila port area.
“We need to reengage again with the new secretary (of the Department of Public Works and Highways). It’s something we want to pursue and implement immediately. It will help to decongest the traffic in Tagaytay,” said Christopher Lizo, Metro Pacific Tollways Corp. (MPTC) chief finance officer, referring to the CTBEX proposal.
Four years ago, MPTC secured the original proponent status (OPS) for the 50.42-kilometer CTBEX project. DPWH in the previous administration elevated the project to the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) Board for approval but this is yet to undergo Swiss challenge.
The negotiation for the project was between DPWH and NEDA.
“We don’t know the status now, the discussion is with NEDA and DPWH. We are just waiting for the communication with the DPWH,” Lizo said.
The DPWH in its website said the project is still on the stage of completion of the requirements.
“The original proponent is preparing the remaining documentary requirements for submission in compliance with NEDA’s updated Investment Coordination Committee Checklist,” the project’s status on the DPWH website showed.
The CTBEX’s alignment includes a Tagaytay Spur and Tuy Spur, consisting of a two-by-two lane carriageway traversing mostly the rural areas of Silang, Tagaytay, Amadeo, Mendez, Alfonso and Magallanes, all in Cavite province, as well as Nasugbu in Batangas.
The alignment has the following interchanges: Silang, Pook, Aguinaldo, Amadeo, Mendez, Alfonso, Magallanes and Nasugbu.
For the NLEX-Cavitex Port Expressway, Lizo said MPTC will refile the project proposal with the new DPWH secretary.
“We need to refile those proposal with the new secretary,” he said.
MPTC has yet to secure the OPS for the project, a 15-km expressway that includes a combined elevated and tunnel expressway from NLEX Segment 10 up to Cavitex that will provide an ideal truck route directly linked to the Manila port area.
The NLEX-Cavitex Port Expressway aims to reduce truck traffic within its limited capacity road network and significantly contribute in the decongestion of the metropolis 24 hours a day and further increase on commercial activity that will boost economic growth.
MPTC operates the NLEX, Subic-Clark-Tarlac Expressway, Cavitex or Manila-Cavite Expressway, Cavite-Laguna Expressway, Cavitex C5 Link Expressway and the Cebu-Cordova Link Expressway. – Myla Iglesias
