MPIC seeks original proponent status for CTBEx

MANILA, Philippines — Metro Pacific Investments Corp. (MPIC) hopes to secure this month the original proponent status (OPS) for its offer to build the P22.43 billion Cavite-Tagaytay-Batangas Expressway (CTBEx).

“As far as we are concerned, we have completed required documents. It’s really up to the DPWH to review and issue the OPS. Our expectation is to get the OPS hopefully, this month,” MPCALA Holdings Inc. and Metro Pacific Tollways South Corp. president Luigi Bautista told reporters.

Should MPIC get the OPS, it would have the right to match the best offer to be given by another group for the project when it goes through a Swiss challenge.

After securing the OPS, the proposal will be evaluated by the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) for approval.

The group submitted the proposal to the DPWH in July last year.

In December, the DPWH confirmed through a letter the group has completed the requirements for the unsolicited offer.

Under the proposal, the firm would build a 47-kilometer (km) expressway which will link the Cavite-Laguna Expressway (CALAx) at Silang East interchange to Tagaytay City and terminate at Nasugbu in Batangas.

Among the objectives of the project is to provide free-flowing, high facility alternative route for vehicles presently plying Aguinaldo Highway and Sta. Rosa-Tagaytay Road which are experiencing congestion during peak periods and weekends.

It would also provide linkage between Metro Manila, Cavite, and Batangas.

MPIC is also building the P35.43 billion CALAx which is a four-lane 45-km expressway to connect the Manila-Cavite Toll Expressway (CAVITEX) and South Luzon Expressway (SLEX).

The CALAx will start at CAVITEX in Kawit, Cavite and end at the SLEX-Mamplasan interchange in Biñan, Laguna.

Aside from the CALAx, MPIC is also constructing other tollway projects such as the North Luzon Expressway (NLEX)-SLEX Connector Road, NLEX-Harbor Link Segment 10, C-5 South Link, and Cebu-Cordova Link Expressway.

MPIC currently operates the CAVITEX, NLEX and Subic-Clark-Tarlac Expressway.