DPWH to push through with P25.24-B CTBEX project

The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) has committed to push through with the construction of the P25.24-billion Cavite Tagaytay Batangas Expressway (CTBEX) proposed by Metro Pacific Tollways South —a unit of Metro Pacific Tollways Corp. (MPTC).

In a chance interview with reporters, Public Works Secretary Manuel Bonoan said the CTBEX project will "push through.”

Bonoan added that “I don't think there will be conflict in alignment" with the Cavite Batangas Expressway (CBEX) proposed by San Miguel Holdings Inc.

"The two projects will push through, but we will have to iron out some pending issues. So that both of them can start," the DPWH chief said.

"Let's see on how we can interconnect the two and plus the alignment ," he added.

The DPWH granted the original proponent status to MPTC for the construction of CTBEX in 2018.

CTBEX is a 50.43-kilometer expressway that will connect Cavite and Batangas, with a spur road to Tagaytay City and ultimately terminating in Nasugbu and another spur road to Tuy, Batangas.

CTBEX, which is expected to decongest about 23,000 vehicles daily from the nearby thoroughfares, will start at Silang East Interchange of the Cavite-Laguna Expressway (CALAX).

The alignment is planned to traverse the towns of Silang, Amadeo, Mendez, Alfonso, and Tagaytay in Cavite and Nasugbu in Batangas.

The MPTC Group, a subsidiary of Pangilinan-led conglomerate Metro Pacific Investments Corp., has a total of 240.6 kilometers of existing and 43.1 kilometers under construction expressway projects in the Philippines with a total investment of $3.06 billion

It currently operates the 105 kilometers of North Luzon Expressway, 94 kilometers of Subic Clark-Tarlac Expressway, and the  14 kilometers Manila-Cavite Expressway. It also currently operates the 8.5 kilometers Cebu-Cordova Link expressway in Cebu.

MPTC is also building the 45 kilometers Cavite Laguna Expressway Project that is expected to be completed by 2024.

At present, its operational segments stretched from Mamplasan in Biñan, with interchanges at Laguna Technopark, Laguna Boulevard, Santa Rosa-Tagaytay Road, up to Silang East Interchange.

The C5 Link a 7.7-kilometer 2x3 lane expressway that will connect CAVITEX R1 to C5 Road in Taguig is also under construction.

In the north, the MPTC is constructing the 8 kilometers NLEX Connector Road and the 2.60 kilometers NLEX Segment 10 R10.

In addition, MPTC Group has pending unsolicited proposals to the DPWH to build the P92-billion 15.1 kilometers NLEX-Cavitex Port Expressway Project and the P71.9-billion 19.4 kilometers C5 Expressway Project.—AOL, GMA Integrated News