DPWH sets bidding for P62-B projects

MANILA, Philippines - The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) is drumming up interest for three major road projects worth over P62 billion to be offered to prospective investors under the Public-Private Partnership (PPP) scheme next year.

DPWH Undersecretary Rafael Yabut said the government has scheduled the bidding of the contracts for the Laguna Lakeshore expressway Dike, the phase 1 of the Central Luzon link expressway (CLLEX), and the Calamba-Los Baños expressway.

Yabut said the Laguna Lakeshore expressway worth P36.74 billion involves the construction of a 41.54-kilometer, four-lane road dike including bridges, pumping stations, and ancillary flood gates.

He pointed out that the road starts from Bicutan, Taguig connecting to the proposed circumferential 6 (C-6) expressway road project and would help ease traffic congestion along Muntinlupa and Calamba area.

“The bidding for the Lakeshore Road is the middle of next year,” Yabut stressed.

The DPWH official added that government is also finalizing the first phase of the P15-billion Central Luzon Link Expressway (CLLEX) from Tarlac to Cabanatuan in Nueva Ecija.

 â€œFor your information, there is an ongoing detailed engineering of the first phase of the CLLEX,” he told prospective bidders.

The CLLEX would start at the end of the 94-kilometer Subic Clark Tarlac expressway (SCTEX) up to Tarlac – Pangasinan – La Union expressway (TPLEX). It is being funded by Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA)

 â€œThe detailed engineering is ongoing. We would like to consider the project for PPP funding,” Yabut explained.

CLLEX forms an important lateral (east-west) link of overall High Standard Highway (or Expressway) network within the 200-kilometer radius from Metro Manila. It diverges from SCTEX at 2.5 km north of Luisita Interchange and traverses flat plain of Central Luzon in the east-west direction, then passes Cabanatuan City and ends at San Jose City in Region III. Phase I ends at Cabanatuan City and Phase II at San Jose City.

The Phase 2 of CLLEX would connect Cabanatuan City and San Jose City in Nueva Ecija. The two-lane road network is 35.7 kilometers.

Yabut also said the government is set to start the P10.4 billion Calamba – Los Banos toll expressway starting at the Calamba exit of the South Luzon expressway (SLEX) traversing Laguna de Bay until it reaches Bay, Laguna.

The DPWH announced Wednesday that four groups led by conglomerates Metro Pacific Investments Corp. (MPIC), San Miguel Corp., and Ayala Corp. submitted prequalification documents for the P35.4-billion expressway to connect the provinces of Cavite and Laguna.

Groups that submitted documents for the Cavite-Laguna (CALA) expressway project included Alloy MTD Philippines Inc.; Team Orion led by conglomerate Ayala Corp.; MPCALA Holdings Inc. led by the group of businessman Manuel V. Pangilinan through MPIC’s Metro Pacific Tollways Development Corp. and partner Leighton Contractors (Philippines) Inc.; and SMC’s Optimal Infrastructure Development Inc.