Skyway 3 to remain open

After SMC-TRB ‘misunderstanding’

MANILA, Philippines — The Skyway Stage 3 will remain open following an alleged misunderstanding between operator and builder San Miguel Corp. (SMC) and the Toll Regulatory Board (TRB) that could have led to the indefinite closure of the 18-kilometer elevated expressway beginning yesterday.

SMC president Ramon Ang said Skyway 3, which partially opened in December last year and officially opened in January, would stay open amid TRB’s inaction on the issuance of a toll operation permit.

Ang said Skyway 3’s losses have been piling up given the delay in the start of toll collection, which was supposed to start in February after SMC made access free for a month.

“Basically, TRB is insisting that Skyway 3 cannot start full operations and collect toll until all ramps are 100 percent complete. Our supplemental toll operation agreement states that we can start collecting at 95 percent completion – we are now 97 percent complete,” Ang said.

“We need sufficient funds for the toll road’s daily maintenance, proper long-term upkeep and to keep it safe and efficient for the motoring public. As Skyway 3’s losses have been mounting because TRB keeps delaying the start of toll collection, the quickest way for our infrastructure unit to speed up 100 percent completion of the ramps would have been to close Skyway 3,” he added.

In an advisory late Monday, SMC Infrastructure said Skyway Stage 3 would be closed indefinitely starting 5 p.m. of March 16 “in accordance with the TRB directive.”

The company said that as per the TRB directive, the Skyway 3 would be reopened when all ramps are completed.

However, the TRB yesterday denied issuing a directive ordering the indefinite closure of the expressway.

“The position of the TRB and its management is to keep Skyway Stage 3 open for the benefit of all motorists,” it said.

SMC later withdrew its Skyway 3 closure announcement, with Ang saying that he has discussed the issue with Transportation Secretary Arthur Tugade, who promised to act on the issue with urgency and prudence.

Ang said SMC fully funded the over P80 billion cost to build Skyway 3.

“We have also made a lot of concessions – including lowering toll fees – in the interest of the public. Also, Skyway 3 is new, but heavy everyday use causes it to deteriorate if not maintained properly. We spend a lot for its upkeep, and at the same time lose a lot in forgone revenues. We cannot operate this and serve people if the project is not generating revenues,” he said.

At a cost of P10 billion per year to operate the toll road, Ang said it is expected to generate a significantly lower revenue of P4 billion annually based on its proposed toll rate and the existing 60,000 vehicles per day volume.

The proposed toll for the Skyway 3 was earlier reported to be from P110 to P274, but the final amount is still subject for approval by the TRB. –  Ralph Edwin Villanueva