Expressway traffic surges

MANILA, Philippines — Traffic volume in major expressways has increased even at the height of soaring fuel prices, as Filipinos pursue their travel plans to take advantage of the lifting of mobility restrictions.

According to Metro Pacific Tollways Corp. (MPTC), the toll road development arm of Metro Pacific Investments Corp., traffic volume in its network rose by six percent in the first semester compared to pre-pandemic levels.

MPTC chief finance officer Christopher Lizo said the bulk of the growth was traced to the North Luzon Expressway and the Subic-Clark-Tarlac Expressway.

“Actually, our June numbers exceeded our original projections. At least for the month of June we haven’t felt the impact of the fuel price increase. For the first half, we have already exceeded the 2019 traffic volume. In total, across the network, I think we are maybe five to six percent above the 2019 traffic volume,” Lizo said in an interview with reporters.

He said an average of 140,000 vehicles pass through the Manila-Cavite Expressway every day. He said this volume of motorists proves that travel remains strong even in the face of fuel inflation.

However, MPTC saw a slowdown in traffic in its expressways in the first five days of July, a development the firm said could be temporary.

To buck a decline in traffic volume, MPTC banks on travelers who push through with their trips to capitalize on the loosened restrictions nationwide.

“We are just hoping that the impact is temporary. We saw that in June, that despite the fuel price increase, I think people are just happy that they can go out. Local tourism is strong because not all people can afford to go out of the country,” Lizo said.

To boost travel, MPTC subsidiary MPCALA Holdings Inc. (MHI) will open the Silang Interchange of the Cavite-Laguna Expressway (CALAX) within the year. As such, the operational sections of CALAX will be extended from Mamplasan in Biñan, Laguna, to Silang, Cavite.

MHI president and general manager Raul Ignacio said the Silang Interchange would help decongest Aguinaldo Highway, the busiest thoroughfare in Cavite. He added motorists from Manila can expect reduced travel time in going to Tagaytay, thanks to the project.

Ignacio said the Silang Interchange is located 16 kilometers away from Tagaytay and travel time to the popular summer destination is around 20 minutes only.

Ignacio also said CALAX will open the interchanges of Open Canal, Governor’s Drive and Kawit by 2023, all in line with the plan to link the expressway to CAVITEX.