MANILA, Philippines - The topping off ceremony led by President Arroyo last June 15 at the completed Bicutan-Sucat elevated road section of South Metro Manila Skyway Stage 2 project signalled the beginning of the asphalting work for the Skyway Stage 2 project.
Immediately after President Arroyo pressed the release button on the asphalt dispensing equipment, project developer, Citra Metro Manila Tollways Corp. (CMMTC) and its contractor, D.M. Consunji Inc., proceeded with the asphalt overlay work.
The President also conducted a drive-through inspection of the Skyway Stage 2 project together with executives from Citra Group Indonesia and the Philippines led by CMMTC chairman Jose Magno Jr., president and chief executive officer Shadik Wahono, and deputy chief executive officer Dodik Marseno.
It will be recalled that President Arroyo herself launched the Skyway Stage 2 project in July 2007. After the government, through the Toll Regulatory Board issued the requisite notice to proceed in April 2009, CMMTC and DMCI started mobilization and full-scale construction of the 6.88-km. Skyway Stage 2 from Bicutan to Alabang. As of May 25, 2010, the project was more than 56 percent complete.
CMMTC and DMCI are currently fasttracking the completion of the Sucat ramps and the Sucat ramp toll plaza to achieve the project’s second milestone with the opening of the Bicutan-Sucat elevated toll road section to traffic by December this year. CMMTC earlier achieved its first milestone when it completed the construction of all the Skyway columns along the project’s main alignment last January, four months ahead of its target schedule.
The topping off ceremony heralds CMMTC’s commitment to deliver its promise of faster, safer and more comfortable travel on the Skyway System by working harder at achieving its final milestone, which is the entire project’s completion by May 2011 or earlier. Wahono thanked President Arroyo for her continuing support not only for the Skyway project but for all toll road infrastructure projects in the country.