MPTC still hopeful on OPS status for NLEX-Cavitex link

MANILA, Philippines — Metro Pacific Tollways Corp. (MPTC) is still hoping to get the approval for its P92-billion unsolicited proposal to construct an expressway linking North Luzon Expressway (NLEX) and Manila-Cavite Expressway (Cavitex) even as the project’s evaluation is taking time.

NLEX Corp. president and general manager Luigi Bautista said the group is hoping to get the original proponent status (OPS) for the NLEX-Cavitex Port Expressway Link project from the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) this year.

“We submitted it last year. It’s been with them for quite some time.
They’re doing the usual review of the documents and review of the design. At the end of that process, it’s going to be the OPS. I think they are supportive of the project,” Bautista said.

DPWH Secretary Mark Villar for his part, said his agency is still evaluating the project and has asked its proponent to submit more technical details

“It’s a big project and has an underground component. It’s quite complicated so we have to study first what is in their plan,” Villar said.

“I cannot say that (we will approve it) until we see the full repercussions. But we’re open. We discussed it, but there is not enough information at this point to come up or give an OPS. We’re still open to the idea, but we’re still asking for more information,” he said.

The NLEX-Cavitex Port Expressway Link is a proposed 15-kilometer expressway with six lanes (2x3 configuration) combined elevated and tunnel expressway from NLEX Segment 10 up to Cavitex which will provide an ideal truck route directly linked to Manila Port Area.

It is divided into three sections which are C3 Road to Anda Circle (5.7 km), Connection from Cavitex to Buendia Ave. (4.8 km), and Buendia Ave. to Anda Circle (4.6 km).

The project seeks to reduce truck traffic within its limited capacity road network and significantly contribute in the decongestion of the metropolis 24 hours a day.

MPTC’s unsolicited proposal to develop the 50.42-kilometer Cavite-Tagaytay-Batangas Expressway (CTBEX) has been granted the OPS by the DPWH in July last year.

The P22.43 billion CTBEX will connect from the west of Silang East Interchange of the Cavite Laguna Expressway and will pass through Silang, Pook, Amadeo, Tagaytay, Mendez, Alfonso, Magallanes, Tuy and Nasugbu.

Villar said the CTBEX proposal of MPTC is expected to be cleared by the National Economic and Development Authority within this third quarter, after which a Swiss challenge for the project would commence.

Aside from NLEX and Cavitex, MPTC’s portfolio includes the concessions for the Subic-Clark Tarlac Expressway (SCTEX), the NLEX Connector Road, and the Cebu-Cordova Link Expressway (CCLEX) in Cebu.