‘Expedite South Luzon Expressway’s modernization’

A Southern Tagalog congressman has called for the implementation of the South Luzon Expressway (SLEX) modernization project "at the soonest time possible," pointing out that this would serve as a catalyst for the region’s development.

Batangas second district Rep. Hermilando Mandanas, who chairs the House special committee on Southern Tagalog development, pushed for the project during a public hearing last Tuesday.

"We want this project going and at the least cost to the public. We hope that the national agencies concerned such as the Philippine National Construction Corp. (PNCC), the Department of Public Works and Highways and the Toll Regulatory Board (TRB), as well as the private sector partner, would continue doing everything they can to expedite the project," he said.

The SLEX rehabilitation and upgrading project includes the rehabilitation of the Alabang Viaduct (TR1) to conform to international highway safety standards and the seismic code, the upgrading and widening of the South Luzon toll road from Alabang to Calamba, Laguna (TR2), and the extension from Calamba, Laguna to Sto. Tomas, Batangas, connecting to Lipa City, also in Batangas, by way of the existing STAR highway.

PNCC president Noel Kintanar explained to the committee that the construction will start as soon as the supplemental toll operating agreement (STOA), which the TRB is currently reviewing, is approved.

He said the private sector partner, Hopewell Crown Infrastructure Inc., which is now controlled by MTD Equity Sdn. Bhd., will shoulder the project cost without any government funding and without need of government guaranty.

Public Works and Highways Undersecretary Emmanuel Bonoan also informed the House committee that for TR3 (extension from Calamba to Sto. Tomas), expropriation cases for the right of way involving some 120 properties have been filed in court.

The funds to cover some 60 properties are already available and will be deposited with the Land Bank of the Philippines.

Bonoan said they are also awaiting the issuance of the writ of possession for the 60 other properties.

The acquisition of the right of way and the issuance of the STOA are prerequisites for the project to commence.

The completion of the long-overdue project is expected to spur economic growth in Southern Tagalog, particularly in the Calabarzon provinces (Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Rizal and Quezon), which accounts for 30 percent of the country’s exports.

The region also has the most number of technology and industrial parks as well as a substantial agro-industrial sector.

Mandanas said the SLEX modernization will complement the modernization of the Batangas international port, making the region a truly major industrial, agricultural and tourism gateway linking Metro Manila to other parts of the Philippines and other countries.