RP to seek Chinese loan for NLEX, SLEX connection

The Philippine government on Monday said it will be asking China to finance bulk of the P54.76-billion Metro Manila Skyway Project, which will connect the existing North Luzon and South Luzon expressways. Socioeconomic Planning Secretary Romulo L. Neri said that the government is working towards securing 80 percent of the project cost from the Chinese government. The Philippine government, through project proponent National Development Co., will shoulder the remaining 20 percent. The project's Stage 2, which will need P12.19 billion in funds, involves a 6.6-kilometer extension of the existing Skyway from Paranaque City at about 400 meters south of the Bicutan Interchange. It will traverse southward along the South Luzon Expressway (SLEX), crossing over Sucat road where a new interchange is proposed. Stage 3, worth P42.57 billion, incorporates a circumferential link between North Luzon Expressway and SLEX through a 15.5 km viaduct running adjucent to the Buendia Flyover and Nagtaghan Link Bridge passing through commercial, industrial and mostly residential establishments, crossing over Pasig River, San Juan River and several creeks up to the Balintawak interchange. The project will also have a port linkage component, which will only be pursued once Stages 2 and 3 are already in place, Neri said. The port linkage component, which is worth P13.54 billion, consists of an 8.63 km viaduct incorporating an elevated link between the Manila Port, NLEX and the proposed stages two and three components. Citra Metro Manila Tollway Corporation has already completed the Stage 1 of the project covering the Buendia to Bicutan stretch.-GMANews.TV