A UNIT of Metro Pacific Tollways Corp. (MPTC) said the target for fully completing the Cavite-Laguna Expressway (CALAX) is now 2024 if right-of-way (RoW) issues are resolved.
The project, with the Department of Public Works and Highways as its implementing agency and MPTC unit MPCALA Holdings, Inc. as its private proponent, started in 2015.
“Within the year, if we are able to get the properties, we can complete it by next year. It really depends on the acquisition of the remaining right of way,” MPCALA President Raul L. Ignacio said in a chance remark last week.
“We are still discussing with the government the RoW funding, but there’s a commitment to fully fund the entire requirement,” he added.
Mr. Ignacio said the Cavite portion of the CALAX project has a RoW acquisition rate of under 70%.
“It was awarded in 2015, it should’ve been completed in 2020, (now it’s) 2023 and it’s still not complete. If we are able to complete it by next year, it will be four to five years delayed,” he said.
According to Mr. Ignacio, the delay in the completion of CALAX has increased its project cost by up to 40%.
“We are looking at a 30%-40% increase; it’s something that we are trying to manage and discuss the impact of with the government,” he said.
Mr. Ignacio said that the Silang (Aguinaldo) Section of the CALAX project is set to be completed and to open as early as June.
“With the acquisition of Uneco Land Corp.’s property in the subsection, we are targeting completion in June and opening by June,” he said.
CALAX is a 45-kilometer toll road that will connect Manila-Cavite Toll Expressway and the South Luzon Expressway.
It will have eight interchanges, with the remaining three — Kawit, Governor’s Drive and Open Canal interchanges — set to be completed next year.
MPTC is the tollways unit of Metro Pacific Investments Corp., which is one of the three key Philippine units of Hong Kong-based First Pacific Co. Ltd. together with Philex Mining Corp. and PLDT, Inc.
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