MPCALA Holdings Inc., which operates the Cavite-Laguna Expressway (Calax), has paid in advance P4.368 billion in concession fees to the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH).
Manuel V. Pangilinan, who chairs Metro Pacific Tollways Corp. (MPTC), said the payment is the second tranche of the concession fees that amount to P27.3 billion, the premium it submitted to win the Calax contract during the previous administration.
A total of six tranches of payments will be made throughout the 35-year concession of the Calax.
“It is our privilege to be government’s private sector partner in this project of national significance. And despite this Covid-19 pandemic, our work continues to serve our communities, and our people,” Pangilinan said. Public Works Secretary Mark A. Villar welcomed this development, along with the P1.03-billion tax payment made by the tollways group last May.
“This payment will help enable the national government to fund development projects, high-priority resource management programs, operations, and concession-support activities,” he said.
Calax is envisioned to be a four-lane, 45-kilometer roll road that will connect the Manila-Cavite Toll Expressway (Cavitex) and the South Luzon Expressway (Slex). It will have eight interchanges, namely: Kawit, Daang Hari, Governor’s Drive, Aguinaldo Highway, Silang, Sta. Rosa-Tagaytay, Laguna Blvd., Technopark, and a Toll Barrier before Slex.
The expressway will be equipped with Automatic License Plate Recognition System, which enables a “barrier-less entry.” It will also sport IP-based Speed Detection Cameras, CCTVs, and will feature various commercial establishments, such as gasoline stations, retail outlets, convenience stores and restaurants, among others.
So far, an initial 10 kilometers of the expressway has been opened. This particular section runs between Mamplasan, Biñan City and Sta. Rosa City.
“We are making good construction progress and together with DPWH Secretary Villar’s team, we are pulling out all the stops to deliver this important expressway,” said MPCALA President Roberto V. Bontia.
“We believe the Calax will enable mobility and become a real commuting option for our traffic harassed motorists in this new road corridor.”