New road to Sangley starts construction in Q2

MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) targets to commence by the second quarter the construction of a new road that will beef up connectivity to Sangley airport in Cavite.

“It’s going to start (construction) soon. It is already budgeted for 2020, so we will get it going by the second quarter,” Public Works Secretary Mark Villar said.

Villar said the project, which would cost between P200 million and P250 million, is expected for completion in a year’s time.

“It’s a major road. New alignment, using the coastal alignment. CAVITEX will be doing its own extension, but we will develop a road there along the coast,” he said.

“It goes along the coast to connect to Sangley since at present, when you go there it is quite congested. For this road we will use the coastline alignment,” Villar said.

The new road is eyed to start at the end of the Manila-Cavite Toll Expressway (CAVITEX) and will connect directly to Sangley.

For its part, Metro Pacific Tollways Corp. (MPTC) has also proposed to construct a five-kilometer spur road connecting the CAVITEX to the Sangley Airport.

The spur road is part of a 22-kilometer toll road proposal in Cavite by MPTC-unit Cavitex Infrastructure Corp. and the Philippine Reclamation Authority. 

Last month, the Department of Transportation (DOTr) inaugurated the new Sangley airport in Cavite, which is now being utilized for general aviation operations and turboprop aircraft for commercial cargo operations.

The airport caters to routes/flights to island tourist destinations.

Various general aviation companies have also expressed commitment and interest to operate and utilize the airport, according to the DOTr.

A plan to transform the Sangley airport into an international gateway is also in the works, with the provincial government of Cavite awarding last month the $4-billion first phase of the airport project to MacroAsia and China Communications Construction Co. Ltd.

The first phase will include the development of an interim first runway with an annual design capacity for 25 million passengers and a new Sangley connector road and bridge.