Manila-Cavite Expressway boosts economy of Cavite

MANILA, Philippines – Cavite has experienced rapid economic growth in less than a year after the opening of the seven-kilometer stretch of the Manila-Cavite Expressway (Cavitex) extension project in 2011.

“Economic activities in Cavite, particularly in the towns of Kawit, Noveleta, Rosario, Tanza, Naic and Ternate have practically went into a full swing with the construction of many subdivisions in these areas after we opened Cavitex,” said Andrew Jude Deyto, general manager of UEM-MARA Philippines Corp. (UMPC), operator of the toll road project.

The opening of the dual two-lane expressway, traversing Bacoor, has also improved access to the two key international gateways of the country - the Ninoy Aquino International Airport and the Port of Manila.

It serves as a direct route for cargo vehicles from the Port of Manila to the Cavite economic processing zones in Rosario and Gen. Trias towns such that distribution of goods and services has become more efficient.

Deyto said Cavitex is also seen to complement the government’s interconnection project as it will serve as a major road link between Metro Manila and the provinces of Cavite and Laguna with the impending construction of the Cavite-Laguna (CALA) Expressway project under the Public-Private Partnership (PPP) program of the Aquino administration.

Cavitex will likewise provide the most convenient and efficient access via Maragondon to the province of Batangas, especially to highly desirable destinations such as Punta Fuego and Pico de Loro.

“With this infra project, it has also improved the attractiveness of Cavite as an area of investment with the number of locators in economic zones continuously coming in,” Deto said. 

Cavitex, with the addition of the extension, now totals approximately 14 kilometers.

The toll road project is a joint venture between the private proponent UMPC and the government through the Philippine Reclamation Authority. It was built from January 2007 to April 2011 by various home-grown contractors.