MPTC eyes expressway projects in Mindanao

MANILA, Philippines - The tollways unit of Metro Pacific Investments Corp. is studying potential expressway projects in Mindanao.

“We are studying if there are prospects. The DPWH (Department of Public Works and Highways) has mentioned some potential expressways,” Metro Pacific Tollways Corp. (MPTC) president and chief executive officer Rodrigo Franco told reporters yesterday.

Among the projects proposed by the DPWH in Mindanao is the 23.3-kilometer (km) Davao City Expressway within Davao City proper connecting the Sta. Ana Port near the outskirts of the city proper in Panacan Road and Carlos P. Garcia National Highway, with a total indicative cost of P24.5 billion.

The project is expected to improve and decongest traffic congestion within Davao City by connecting its port to the outer part of the city.

It is likewise seen to complement ongoing, committed and proposed projects for further enhancement and improvement of access that will encourage an increase in economic activities in areas to be served.

Another project proposed by DPWH in Mindanao is the Davao-Digos Expressway which has an indicative length of 60-km.

The project will start at the Bukidnon-Davao National Highway in Davao City and terminate at Digos-Sultan Kudarat Road.

It will traverse the town of Toril and Santa Cruz and serve as an alternative route for the Davao-Cotabato National Highway.

The cost of the project has yet to be determined.

“We would like to take a look and see if these are viable as PPP (public-private partnership). If viable, then we’ll be interested,” Franco said.

MPTC has existing tollway projects such as the North Luzon Expressway (NLEX), Subic-Clark-Tarlac Expressway and Manila-Cavite Toll Expressway.

The company has also bagged tollway projects under the PPP program such as the Cavite-Laguna Expressway, Cebu-Cordova Link Expressway and NLEX-South Luzon Expressway Connector Road.