SMC to build roads, rail system to Bulacan airport

MANILA, Philippines — Conglomerate San Miguel Corp. (SMC) plans to undertake a slew of new road and rail developments to accompany its massive P740 billion international airport project in Bulacan.

SMC president and chief operating officer Ramon Ang said the company is preparing to build major rail and road networks  which it will incorporate into the Manila International Airport development to provide seamless travel to and from the airport and help decongest EDSA.

Ang said the proposed rail and road networks, which will form part of a seamless transport system, would allow the province of Bulacan to accommodate the millions of passengers who will enter the country through the upcoming airport.

“These projects make up the massive infrastructure network that will not only make the airport easily accessible from Metro Manila and various points of Luzon, but will also further unlock the economic potential of so many of our provinces,” Ang said.

“It will also allow the smooth delivery of goods and services, particularly coming from the Bulacan Airport City Economic Zone that is expected to attract business locators and provide employment to local residents,” he said.

SMC’s airport development plan includes an eight-kilometer airport toll road that will connect the airport to the North Luzon Expressway and link it to the recently-completed 18-kilometer Skyway Stage 3 going to the South Luzon Expressway.

In a recent meeting with LGUs in Bulacan, SMC said it also presented several proposed road expressway projects such as the NMIA Airport Expressway, Integrated Airport Toll Expressway Network-Northern Access Link, Integrated Airport Toll Expressway Network-Southern Access Link, Integrated Airport Toll Expressway Network-Central Access Link, East Metro Manila Expressway, Northeast Airport Expressway, Calamba-San Pedro Expressway, Bulacan-Tarlac Expressway, Bataan-Bulacan Expressway,  Skyway Stage 3-R10 NMIA Expressway, MRT 7 Road, and NMIA Expressway MRT 7 (Road Spur Access).

The proposed railway transport modes are the MRT7 Katipunan Spur, MRT7 Airport Expressway-North Line, MRT7 Airport Expressway-West Line, MRT7 Extension Project, and MRT7 Airport Expressway Southeast Line.

SMC said all of the proposed railway transport modes have been granted original proponent status.

Ang thanked the local government units of Bulacan for their full support and for aligning with the company’s future infrastructure projects to complement the airport transport system.

“We’re happy that the local government leaders also share our vision for the development of Bulacan through this airport. With the LGUs agreeing to align their own road network projects to those that will be built by San Miguel, we can significantly reduce traffic congestion and improve the transport system in the province,” Ang said.

“Taken together with the airport, travel and trade in Luzon, Visayas, Mindanao and outside the country will be easier and more efficient. This is part of our commitment to invest more in our country and help our government and our people build back better,” he said.

SMC is   gearing up for the start of the construction of the Manila International Airport project in Bulacan next month.

SMC last week said it has started work to build up manpower for the project, with the first batch of trainees under its specialized job training program completing their courses under the Technical Education Skills and Development Authority (TESDA).