“Although this food park is just temporary and will run for about six months, we are simultaneously planning on building a more permanent toll service facility for the benefit of our motorists, or what we will call the CCLEX Drive and Dine,” said CCLEC vice president and project manager Herbert Laboy in a statement.
The Drive and Dine facility is already available in other Metro Pacific Tollways Corp. (MPTC)-operated expressways like the North Luzon Expressway (NLEX), said MPTC subsidiary CCLEC.
Developed and managed by MPT Mobility, the NLEX Drive & Dine is considered “the top motorist toll service facility in Luzon with its variety of popular partner establishments,” CCLEC said.
Laboy said the food park will enable users of the country’s longest and tallest bridge to enjoy the scenic view that CCLEX offers while taking a short break from their trips.
The CCLEX Tropical Food Park houses more than 40 establishments. It is open from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. From Friday to Sunday, however, it is open until midnight with free entertainment.
CCLEC reminded motorists to use the CCLEX RFID, loading and reloading of which has been made easier through the MPT DriveHub app, for a seamless experience on the toll bridge.
PLDT Inc.’s wireless unit Smart Communications Inc. said it boosted connectivity at the new park in time for its opening.
“We would like to congratulate Cebu-Cordova Link Expressway Corp. for their initiative of providing a space that maximizes livelihood opportunities for food merchants, and for also creating a new place where locals and tourists can eat and enjoy a spectacular view of the CCLEX. Smart gives its all-out support to ensure we propagate the good news to everyone through our reliable connectivity,” said Marylou Gocotano, PLDT and Smart stakeholder management Visayas relations head, in a statement.
Smart set up a femtocell, which is a small, low-power cellular base station, at the Quo vadis park to enable cashless transactions between merchants and buyers, as well as to enable patrons to more quickly spread the word about the new roadside food haven.