Ist service area along SCTEx completed this yr

MANILA, Philippines - State-run Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA) expects the first service area along the Subic-Clark-Tarlac Expressway (SCTEx) to be completed by the end of the year.

According to BCDA president and chief executive officer Arnel Paciano Casanova, the ground breaking ceremony for the P350 million service area along SCTEx was held on Wednesday, Feb. 25.

“This brings the service of the SCTEx to a higher level because the comfort and convenience of the motorists will be assured. Once completed before the end of the year, motorists can gas-up, rest and avail of other services they need to travel,” he said.

The lease and development of the two-hectare service area located at the SCTEx Clark-bound/south-bound direction of the Clark-Tarlac segment in Concepcion, Tarlac was awarded to Seaoil Philippines, Inc. last year.

The lease of the service area is for 25 years and renewable for another 25 years upon agreement of the BCDA and Seaoil.

The service area is expected to have facilities such as gas station, restrooms, parking slots, emergency First Aid station, potable water and lighting system, emergency vehicle repair shop, restaurants and convenience store.

For the development of the service area, Seaoil has partnered with CityMall Commercial Centers Inc., the mall development arm of Double Dragon Property Corp., which would be responsible for management of the restaurants and convenience store.

Among the restaurants expected to locate at the service area are Jollibee, Chowking, Greenwich, Mang Inasal, Highlands Coffee, Red Ribbon, Watson’s Pharmacy and Indonesian-based Alpha Mart convenience store.

“We are excited and happy to host one of Seaoil’s major investments and (the) SCTEx icon at that,” Casanova said.

The BCDA, which was created by Republic Act 7227, is mandated to transform former US military bases into alternative productive civilian use.