SMC bags OPS for CBEX

MANILA, Philippines — Ramon Ang’s San Miguel Corp. (SMC) has bagged the original proponent status (OPS) to build, operate and maintain the 27-kilometer Cavite-Batangas Expressway (CBEX) project that seeks to ease travel in Southern Tagalog.

In a statement, the provincial government of Cavite said that it accepted the unsolicited proposal submitted by San Miguel Holdings Corp. (SMHC), the holding firm of SMC, for the development, design, financing, construction, operation and management of the CBEX project.

Cavite’s public-private partnership (PPP) selection committee chairman Renato Abutan said the scope of the project covers 27.06 kilometers of toll road.

Abutan said CBEX crosses the municipalities of Silang, Amadeo, Tagaytay, Indang, Mendez and Alfonso in Cavite. The toll road ends in Nasugbu, Batangas.

Also, Abutan said the provincial government of Cavite granted OPS to SMHC on June 30. With it, SMHC was given the right to proceed with the detailed negotiations with Cavite authorities.

If the talks succeed, SMHC could exercise the right to match the best comparative proposal that may be submitted during the competitive challenge process.

Moving forward, the provincial government of Cavite said its PPP selection committee would begin the competitive selection process for the CBEX.

Under this procedure, Cavite authorities will solicit competitive proposals from interested parties that want to counter the one filed by SMHC.

Meanwhile, Metro Pacific Tollways Corp. (MPTC) is waiting for the approval of its proposal to construct the P25-billion Cavite-Tagaytay-Batangas Expressway (CTBEX).

In an interview with The STAR, MPT South president and general manager Raul Ignacio said the firm is waiting for regulators to conclude the review of the project.

“CTBEX is the alignment of MPT South under the review of the National Economic and Development Authority and the Department of Public Works and Highways. The project is still being reviewed by NEDA though,” Ignacio said.

MPTC, the toll road development subsidiary of Pangilinan-led Metro Pacific Investments Corp., holds the OPS for the 25-kilometer CTBEX worth at least P25 billion.

Like CBEX, CTBEX is expected to improve connectivity between Tagaytay City and Nasugbu in support of trade and tourism in Southern Tagalog provinces.