Metro Pacific resumes work on big-ticket infra projects

The tollroad arm of Metro Pacific Investments Corp. has restarted work on big-ticket projects as the government has eased strict quarantine measures.

In a statement on Friday, subsidiary Metro Pacific Tollways South Management Corp. said the projects moving forward include the Cavite Expressway (Cavitex) and Cavite-Laguna Expressway (Calax).

The construction of major infrastructure projects was earlier put on hold to stop the spread of the new coronavirus disease (COVID-19).

Roberto Bontia, MPT South president and general manager, noted that work is also resuming after the Department of Public Works and Highways issued new safety guidelines for projects under the “Build, Build, Build” (BBB) infrastructure program.

“With the relaxing of the community quarantine, we need to get the projects back on track, most especially the BBB projects, which aim to spur and sustain economic growth by constructing infrastructure projects badly needed by the country,” Public Works and Highways Secretary Mark Villar said.

MPT South restarted the road widening construction for Cavitex R-1 in Parañaque, Las Piñas and Wawa, which is now 55-percent finished. Work on the Cavite section of the Calax is also ongoing while the Cavitex C5 Link is now at 81 percent in terms of the acquisition of right of way.

The company said some 1,600 employees went through the COVID-19 Rapid Antibody Diagnostic Testing.

Moreover, the company imposed daily health monitoring protocols, provisions for basic personal protective equipment, sanitation and disinfection of office spaces, and health and safety guidelines will be observed as part of the preventive measures against the spread of COVID-19.

Throughout the enhanced community quarantine, Cavitex, C5 Link and Calax remained fully operational.

MPT South is a unit of Metro Pacific Tollways Corp., whose other projects include the North Luzon Expressway (NLEx), the NLEx Connector Road, the Subic-Clark-Tarlac Expressway and the Cebu-Cordova Link Expressway in Cebu for its domestic portfolio.