SMC can address these environmental concerns as it continues to be a nation-builder helping improve the country’s competitiveness
When Republic Act 6957, the law that authorized the financing, construction, operation and maintenance of infrastructure projects by the private sector, was signed on July 9, 1990, many of us had no expectation San Miguel Corporation would play a vital role in the country’s infrastructure sector.
SMC, after all, was essentially a food and beverage manufacturing company.
But with the vision of its leaders, it has evolved into one of the country’s most diversified conglomerates with portfolio, aside from food and beverage manufacturing, in banking, energy, packaging, and infrastructure among others.
At present, it is one of the private entities pushing and uplifting the country’s attractiveness to investment locators through infrastructure projects.
There is no stopping SMC when it comes to infrastructure projects. Under the leadership of Chairman and CEO, Ramon S. Ang, more transport infrastructure projects are calendared to start rolling next year.
The Toll Regulatory Board reported three infrastructure projects that will impact on the ease of travel in Luzon will be undertaken by SMC.
These are the Southern Access Link Expressway (SALEX), the Northern Access Link Expressway (NALEX), and the South Luzon Expressway (SLEX) TR5.
Component 1 of Greater Capital Region Integrated Expressways Network, the Northern Access Link Expressway (NALEX) consists of two Phases.
Phase 1 is a proposed 136.4-kilometer expressway envisioned to provide connectivity between the Metro/Mega Manila, the New Manila International Airport in Bulacan and Central Luzon as an extension and/or linkage of the Metro Manila Skyway-Stage 3 at Balintawak.
Meanwhile, Phase 2 is a demand-driven expansion from Masantol, Pampanga to Tarlac City. Its Supplemental Toll Operation Agreement was approved on May 6, 2022. Project cost for Phase 1 was placed at P148.30 billion.
On the other hand, the STOA for SALEX was approved on June 27, 2022.
The proposed SALEX is component 2 of the Greater Capital Region Integrated Expressways Network according to the PPP Center website.
It will be a 40.65 km elevated expressway network comprising of the Shoreline Expressway and three Metro Manila Skyway Stage Extensions, namely: C3-R10 Extension, Quirino Extension, and Buendia Extension. Estimated project cost during approval was Php 152.39 billion.
The SLEX TR5 is approximately 417 kms from Lucena City to Matnog, Sorsogon. It will have eight segments with Segment 1 stretching 61 kms. from Lucena to Gumaca, Quezon.
Travellers and commuters welcome news on the forthcoming projects in addition to the report that SMC is still keen on pursuing the Pasig River Expressway project which broke ground in 2021 attended by Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea and Transportation Secretary Arthur Tugade.
The PAREX is an elevated expressway consisting of six lanes stretching 19.37 km.
It will establish a direct link between Metro Manila’s western and eastern cities; decongest traffic; and contribute to the efficiency of the country’s road transport system.
SMC is not shelving the project but putting it on hold as the company is trying to address environmental concerns.
‘We are trying to address it [environmental concerns], so it is on hold for now,’ RSA was quoted as saying.
Oppositionists to the Pasig River Expressway expressed the view the project would impact negatively on the Pasig River and the overall ecosystem of the metropolis.
In its letter to the PSE Disclosure Department dated May 28, 2024, SMC stated it is “conducting a thorough evaluation and study of all factors and concerns that may affect and have an impact on the viability of the construction and operation of the Pasig River Expressway Project, with the end in view of satisfactorily addressing such factors and concerns, inclusive of the sentiments expressed on the possible effects of the Project on the environment.”
An earlier letter to the PSE dated March 19, 2024 stated Parex Corporation, an affiliate of SMC, “will discuss with the Toll Regulatory Board the actions that will be taken with respect to the Project.”
Last March, it was reported SMC will no longer be pursuing the project taking into consideration public opinion it will not be good for the public welfare.
“We are very sensitive to the opinion of the public,’ RSA said.
I have no doubt SMC can address these environmental concerns as it continues to be a nation-builder helping improve the country’s competitiveness.
(MTV, book author and publisher, is president and chief executive officer of Media Touchstone Ventures, Inc. and also the president and executive director of the Million Trees Foundation Inc., a non-government outfit advocating tree-planting and environmental protection.)