Metro Pacific Tollways Corp.’s wholly-owned subsidiary MPCALA Holdings Inc. paid the government P4.368 billion, representing the second tranche of the concession fees for the Cavite-Laguna Expressway.
MPTC said the payment is the second of six tranches amounting to P27.3 billion in total concession fees under the 35-year CALAX concession. The first tranche of P5.460 billion was paid July 10, 2015.
“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,” MPTC chairman Manuel Pangilinan said.
The tollways group also advanced its tax payments to the Bureau of Internal Revenue amounting to P1.03 billion on May 1 to help the government’s fund-raising efforts amid the pandemic.
Public Works Secretary Mark Villar said the latest payment would enable the national government to fund development projects, high-priority resource management programs, operations, and concession-support activities.
The 44.6-kilometer, 4-lane CALAX toll road is partially operational. The first 10-kilometer portion between Mamplasan, Binan City and Sta. Rosa City was opened to commuters in November last year.
The construction is underway in the next 7.2-km section between Sta. Rosa City and Silang, Cavite.
“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,” MPCALA president Roberto Bontia said.
“We believe the CALAX will enable mobility and become a real commuting option for our traffic harassed motorists in this new road corridor,” he said.
Once the CALAX is completed, travel time between Kawit, Cavite, and Binan City, Laguna is expected to be reduced to 45 minutes from the current 90 minutes while the industrial zones, residential areas, and tourist destinations around the two provinces will be more accessible.
Aside from CALAX, CAVITEX and C-5 Link Expressway, MPTC’s portfolio includes the concessions for the North Luzon Expressway, the Subic-Clark Tarlac Expressway, the NLEX Connector Road and the Cebu-Cordova Link Expressway in Cebu.