Swiss challenge for connector road not likely this year, says DPWH

MANILA, Philippines - The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) is unlikely to complete the Swiss challenge process for the P18 billion toll road connecting the North Luzon and South Luzon Expressways within this year.

Public Works Secretary Rogelio Singson said the unsolicited proposal and Swiss challenge for the connector would have to be resubmitted to the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) for approval.

 “It might be tight to have that whole process completed within the year,” Singson said.

He explained that the approval of NEDA for the connector road project had already lapsed.

 “Yes it was 18 months ago so I have to go back to NEDA for approval. It is the same project and the same concept but the approval of NEDA has lapsed,” he added.

Last month, the Department of Justice (DOJ) issued a legal opinion stating that the project should be reverted back to the unsolicited proposal and should be subjected to a “Swiss challenge” after deeming the joint venture between MPIC’s Metro Pacific Tollways Development Corp. (MPTDC) and state-run Philippine National Construction Corp. (PNCC) illegal.

 “Based on DOJ opinion, we were again advised by the Toll Regulatory Board that we have to go back to the original unsolicited mode,” Singson said.

“Swiss challenge process is expected to take at least three months and would not likely be completed within the year,” he added.

MPIC chairman Manuel V. Pangilinan told reporters Tuesday that the completion of the construction of the connector road would likely be delayed by at least one year.

 “Clearly, there has been a delay of about a year versus in that approach and new approach. The practical consequence to that is really a delay in terms of completion of the project for us by at least a year,” Pangilinan said.