MPTC to get operating permit

MANILA, Philippines — The government is poised to issue today the toll operating permit to Metro Pacific Tollways Corp. (MPTC) that would enable the full operation of the 10-kilometer section of the Cavite Laguna Expressway (CALAX) between SLEX Mamplasan Interchange and Sta. Rosa City in Laguna following a final inspection last Saturday.

Once the permit is issued today, the section will be fully operational and will be available for use by motorists 24/7.

“Starting late Monday, it will be fully operational already. It can be used full time and for free,” Public Works and Highways Secretary Mark Villar said.

MPTC, through MPCALA Holdings, opened the section partially last Oct. 30, initially from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. from Sunday to Thursday and from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m.  from Friday to Saturday.

A 24-hour commercial operation of the expressway section would not be possible without the issuance of relevant certifications and permits from the Department of Public Works and Highways and the Toll Regulatory Board.

Villar said toll for the section would remain free until February next year, after which a fee ranging from P4.50 to P5 per kilometer will be charged for motorists that will use the 10-kilometer portion.

CALAX is designed to be a four-lane, 45.3-kilometer tolled expressway that would connect Manila-Cavite Expressway in Kawit to South Luzon Expressway at their Mamplasan Interchange in Biñan Laguna.

The project will have interchanges in eight locations, namely: Kawit, Daang Hari, Governor’s Drive, Aguinaldo Highway, Silang, Sta. Rosa-Tagaytay, Laguna Blvd., and Laguna Technopark. There will be a toll barrier before SLEX.

The project is divided into two major portions, namely the Cavite segment spanning 27.2 kms and the Laguna segment covering 18.1 kms.

“By next year, we’ll open another exit in Silang, and then every year we will have a section opening,” Villar said.

MPCALA Holdings president Roberto Bontia said CALAX is expected to further boost the development of the fast growing areas south of Metro Manila.

The full 45-km CALAX is expected to be completed by the second quarter of 2022.

Once complete travel time from Laguna and Cavite will be cut by more than half from the usual two hours to less than one hour.