Metro Pacific South sets aside P 12-B capex in 2021

Metro Pacific Tollways Corp. is setting aside about P12 billion this year for capital spending for three expressway projects in southern Metro Manila and neighbouring provinces.

Under subsidiary MPT South Corp., the tollroad giant said the largest share or P6.49 billion would go toward the 45-kilometer Cavite Laguna Expressway (Calax) while P5.34 billion would be allotted for the C5 Southlink project.

Another P270 million will be spent for the extension of the Cavite Expressway (Cavitex).

Like other companies, Metro Pacific Tollways’ projects have faced delays due to movement restrictions during the COVID-19 pandemic.

‘Full swing’

“Still, our construction remains in full swing for areas with adequate available [right of way], while strictly adhering to COVID-19 protocols set by the national government,” the company said in an emailed statement to reporters.

Set for completion in 2022, the Calax is a 45-kilometer expressway that will connect Cavite Expressway in Kawit to South Luzon Expressway at their Mamplasan Interchange in Biñan, Laguna.

It will cut the usual two-hour trip to around 45 minutes and serve about 50,000 motorists per day.

The C5 Southlink is a 7.7-km project from the R1 Expressway running through the SLEx/C5.

It aims to cut travel time to Makati and Taguig from Parañaque City, Las Pinas City, and Cavite Province south of Metro Manila.

Metro Pacific Tollways holds the concession rights for the Calax, Cavitex, C-5 Link, North Luzon Expressway, NLEx Connector Road, Subic-Clark-Tarlac Expressway, and Cebu-Cordova Link Expressway in Cebu.

The company is a subsidiary of Manuel V. Pangilinan-led Metro Pacific Investments Corp. INQ

Project Rebound is an advocacy campaign that seeks to help Filipinos overcome the crisis through relevant and timely information they can use to make informed decisions. It is supported by Medicard Philippines, Metro Pacific Tollways Corporation, and Pilipinas Shell Petroleum Corp.