Metro Pacific Tollways starts two Calabarzon toll roads in June

MANILA, Philippines — Metro Pacific Tollways Corp. (MPTC) intends to start building a toll road that links Manila-Cavite Expressway (Cavitex) and Cavite-Laguna Expressway (Calax) as well as Segment 3B of the Cavitex C5 Link project by June, with target completion set in 2025.

On Thursday, MPTC unit Cavitex Infrastructure Corp. (CIC) announced it had tapped EEI Corp. to build the new project, dubbed Cavitex-Calax Link (CCLink).

DM Consunji Inc. will build the other turnpike, Segment 3B.

Contract costs for both projects amount to a combined P5.09 billion.

CCLink is a 1.3-kilometer (km), dual two-lane expressway that connects Cavitex Kawit Toll Plaza to Calax Kawit Interchange.

“This project will enhance economic activities in Cavite, Laguna, and the National Capital Region,” MPTC president and CEO Rogelio Singson said in a statement.

READ: MPTC keen on taking over Cavitex operations

Meanwhile, Segment 3B of C5 Link is a 2-km, six-lane tollway that links Cavitex at Paranaque City in the west and C5 Road along Taguig City in the east.

Control of SCTEx

“This is a milestone for the Cavitex C5 Link as this marks the construction of the last remaining segment,” CIC president and general manager Raul Ignacio said.

“Soon, motorists will benefit from the entire 7.7-kilometer expressway stretching from Cavitex R1 to C5 Road in Taguig (City),” Ignacio said.

The operational segments of the Cavitex C5 Link road are Segment 3A-1 (C5 Link Flyover from C5 Road to Merville) and Segment 3A-2 (C5 Link Flyover Extension).

As these develop, MPTC is eyeing to consolidate control of the Subic-Clark-Tarlac Expressway (SCTEx), putting forward a proposal to acquire the government’s 50-percent revenue share through the Bases Conversion and Development Authority.

But the Department of Finance recently suggested selling BCDA shares to state-run pension funds to raise additional revenues for the government coffers.

READ: Gov’t ready to sell 50% SCTEx stake to MPTC for at least P20B

Singson said they were open to providing a counter-offer but were also willing to forgo planned acquisition if the government was keen on buying the stake.

The BCDA’s base offer amounts to more than P20 billion as the government seeks to fund payment for obligations related to the tollway’s construction and earn some profits as well.

MPTC’s portfolio also includes the North Luzon Expressway (NLEx), NLEx Connector, Cavite-Laguna Expressway, and Cebu-Cordova Link Expressway.