Marcos opens NLEX-C5 link

MANILA, Philippines — As the government braces for the Undas travel surge, President Marcos yesterday opened a section of the North Luzon Expressway (NLEX) linking Quirino Highway in Quezon City to the Mindanao toll plaza in Valenzuela.

The NLEX-C5 Northlink Segment 8.2 Section 1A in Valenzuela City is seen to reduce travel time along the route from 40 to five minutes.

It is also expected to ease traffic congestion to be caused by the surge in vehicles during Undas.

“The traffic flow will be lighter and our countrymen will no longer face much difficulty when they travel during Undas,” Marcos said.

Toll at the NLEX-C5 Northlink would be free until the end of the year, Marcos said.

The newly opened section allows motorists from Quirino Highway to directly access the NLEX Connector in Valenzuela for trips to Manila, the University Belt and nearby cities.

Northbound motorists may also use the new section to reach the NLEX Mindanao toll plaza and access the NLEX mainline toward Central Luzon.

It also provides connectivity to the Subic-Clark-Tarlac Expressway.

Section 1A is part of the 11.3-kilometer NLEX-C5 Northlink Segment 8.2 project, which extends from Mindanao Avenue to C5/C.P. Garcia near Katipunan Avenue.

The project is seen to further enhance connectivity between northern and southern Luzon through the eastern side of Metro Manila once finished.

The NLEX-C5 Northlink is a public-private partnership project, with the Toll Regulatory Board as government grantor and NLEX Corp., a subsidiary of Metro Pacific Tollways Corp., as the private concessionaire.

P120 billion merger  for MVP, SMC

Marcos also announced the MVP Group’s proposed P120-billion elevated road project with Ramon Ang’s San Miguel Corp. (SMC), connecting Balintawak, Quezon City to Bocaue, Bulacan.

“This is somehow a surprise, but good news. The MVP Group will invest P120 billion,” Marcos said. “This project aims to improve traffic flow, reduce transport cost and enhance the travel experience of our workers.”

Marcos said he has asked the MVP Group and SMC to work together to expand the available routes for motorists.

“This is significant. This is a joint effort of two groups,” he said.

Transport Secretary Vince Dizon said the venture would help passengers suffering from traffic jams in Meycauayan, Marilao up to Bocaue.

E-vehicle investments

After opening the NLEX section, Marcos proceeded to Biñan, Laguna to visit the manufacturing and assembly plant of Sazgar Philippines Inc.

Founded this year, Sazgar is 60 percent Filipino-owned and operates the company’s first manufacturing facility outside Pakistan.

The company has operated in Pakistan for the past 30 years.

Marcos noted that electric tricycles could help drivers reduce their dependence on gasoline, save on fuel costs and increase their daily earnings.

Electric three-wheelers can travel 100 to 210 kilometers on a single charge without a single liter of gasoline, he said. –  Josiah Antonio, Ramon Efren Lazaro