Central Luzon got a tourism boost with the opening of the SCTEX or the Subic-Clark-Tarlac Expressway. This 93.77 kilometer- stretch of perfectly good road connects two of the country’s most important economic zones, namely the Subic Bay Freeport Zone in Zambales and the Clark Freeport Zone in Pampanga, which is already a good 50.5 kilometer stretch. It also connects to the rest of Central Luzon, in particular Tarlac, and NLEX. For the latter, there is a two-kilometer spur road which is between the NLEX exits for Dau and Sta. Ines.
This project took exactly three years to finish, breaking ground in April 2005. I personally went through the SCTEX on my way to Subic just last week. It would have been a perfect time for snoozing, in preparation for the Mitsubishi Lancer EX test drive scheduled later that day, what with the excellent road conditions. But the scenic view was just too perfect to waste away on a mid-morning nap. I ended up just enjoying the ride and the view, the endless stretch of greenery, the placid countryside, peaceful and lush in the throes of summer. If only for this, every motorist should schedule a trip to these parts and enjoy a smooth, seamless drive while taking in an awesome scenery. Pack the bags, load the kids and catch the tail end of summer, before the rains come in torrents, which the marry month of June inevitably brings.
With the SCTEX, travel time from Clark to Subic has been effectively cut down to 40 minutes. Heck, travel time for most destinations in the area has really been cut down. Clark to Tarlac now, for instance is down to a mere 25 minutes. From NLEX in Balintawak to Subic which I used to take in three hours, travel time is now cut down to one hour and thirty minutes.
Those coming from NLEX bound for Subic can take the Spur/NLE interchange which is located between the Dau and Sta. Ines exits of the NLEX and then proceed to the SCTEX Clark Logistics Toll Plaza. After crossing the bridge, follow the loop of the ramp towards Subic. For motorists from Subic bound for Manila, you may enter the SCTEX through the Tipo Toll Plaza, while motorists from Bataan, still bound for Manila, may enter through the Dinalupihan Toll Plaza. Just follow the road signage towards the Clark Logistics Toll Plaza. From the Clark Logistics Interchange, take the first ramp to the right that will lead to the toll plaza. From here, you can proceed to the Spur/NLE interchange connecting to the NLEX. Don’t worry, there are ample directional signs along the way to guide you and they should be easy enough to follow if you pay close attention.
For most businesses in the region (or those passing through these towns) requiring infrastructure support, this would mean a lot of savings. Foreign businesses have repeatedly stressed the fact that transport is very costly in the Philippines. Linking vital transport like air (with Clark’s international airport which lately has been bringing in much of our tourists from neighboring countries), sea (with Subic’s vital ports) and land like the SCTEX did scores in a major way to erode this reputation which has really been hurting our prospects. This should create more opportunities for investment and trade. Hopefully, this flagship project ushers in more infrastructure coups that we so badly need to woo foreign investments.
The Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA) undertook this ambitious project of building a world-class toll road, the total cost of which is P27.2 billion. The project managers seem to be seriously perturbed by rumors that the project actually cost P60 billion, as some quarters are saying, so the BCDA has publicly announced their figures to dispel the nasty rumors.
This P27.2 billion includes three additional interchanges in Floridablanca, Porac and Clark South that have yet to be built. Direct cost of the project accounts for P22.63 billion and this includes civil construction, P3.34 billion for land acquisition, consultancy services, project management expenses, plus taxes and duties. P1.23-billion accounts for financing costs which include the Department of Finance’s guarantee fee, and the Japan Bank for International Cooperation (JBIC) loan interests during the construction period. Incidentally, JBIC loaned the funds for this project which reportedly was completed on schedule, and well within budget, earning for them a savings of some P500 million. Given the track record of most infrastructure projects in the country, this is a record of sorts, one we can proudly cite.
According to BCDA, they have awarded the operations and maintenance of the SCTEX to a consortium — the Tollways Management Corp. and the First Holding Co. which also runs the North Luzon route. The service provider is reportedly enforcing the weight limits in order to preserve the roads. Overweight vehicles will not be given access, and there are weighing stations provided for this purpose.
Motorists who regularly ply this route watch very keenly the toll rates. While the rates now are user-friendly, as mandated by the Toll Regulatory Board, they are still “introductory rates” and can change dramatically, if not in tranches. The BCDA applied for a P2.49/kilometer rate, but the toll board approved only P2 per kilometer, and this is for class 1 vehicles. Class 2 vehicles will have to pay P4, while class 3 will be charged P6 per kilometer. For reference purposes only, the North Luzon Expressway charges slightly higher for class 1vehicles which is P2.20 per kilometer.
What does this mean for us motorists?
If you have a class 1 vehicle entering the SCTEX from the Tipo Toll Plaza which is located just outside Subic, you have to pay a minimum of P24 if you take the exit at the Dinalupihan Interchange in Bataan. Motorists who go up all the way to Tarlac City will have to pay P181 toll fee.
For Clark motorists: From Tipo to the Clark Logistics Interchange, you will have to pay P112. Up to the Clark North B Interchange, toll fee is P120, while for Clark North A, it is P123. Up to Concepcion, toll fee is P144, and San Miguel, P172.
Eventually, there will be service and rest areas provided for motorists using the expressway, but while there are none yet, motorists are advised to check that everything is in good condition before embarking on that long trip. Check your tire pressure and your fuel. The expressway management has advised that there is a slow ascent along a course of the expressway, so watch out for possible overheating. In due time, more gasoline stations, restaurants and other service areas will rise in the general vicinity to serve the motoring public.
Mabuhay!!! Be proud to be a Filipino.
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