Meralco on track to relocate facilities in NAIA Expressway

MANILA, Philippines - Manila Electric Co. (Meralco) is on track to finish relocating its facilities affected by the P15.8-billion Ninoy Aquino International Airport Expressway (NAIAX) project by Sept. 15.

“Our target for the full completion is Sept. 15. So by Sept. 15, we will be finished with the relocation,” Meralco vice president and head of networks Ronnie Aperocho said.

So far, Meralco lines in the first phase of the NAIAX have been completely relocated, while some of facilities in the second phase of the project remain to be in the right-of-way (ROW), he said.

“For the remaining facilities in the Phase2B, there are three more areas,” Aperocho said.

The transfer of Meralco facilities was among the reasons cited by a Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) official for the delay of the NAIAX.

Other causes of delay include the planned pedestrian overpass bridge of Resorts World Manila connecting to NAIA Terminal 3 and ROW issues near the Light Rail Transit Authority (LRTA).

The first phase of Phase 2A of NAIAX was scheduled to be completed last April but was deferred to October in time for the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Leaders’ Summit on Nov. 18 and 19.

The second phase of Phase 2B, on the other hand, was supposed to be finished by October this year but has been moved to March 2016.

Meralco has 197 facilities in the Phase 2A of the project, while there 143 facilities in the ROW of Phase 2B.

The four-lane, 7.75 km elevated NAIAX would provide access to NAIA Terminals 1, 2 and 3, connects the Skyway system, the Manila-Cavite Toll Expressway (Cavitex), and the Entertainment City of state-run Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp. (Pagcor).

After completing the NAIAX relocation, Aperocho said they will move on to the transfer of assets that will be affected by the P26.5-billion Metro Manila Skyway Stage 3.

However, the distribution company will have to wait for the final alignment of the Skyway upgrade before starting the relocation process.

“Relocation will depend on the Skyway alignment. What we know so far is it’s divided into four sections. Only section 1, which is along Osmeña Highway, has a clear alignment,” Aperocho explained.

“The other sections, the one that will traverse Sta. Mesa, Manila, is a very congested area so we’re still waiting for the alignment plan. Only then would we know which facilities will be affected,” he added.

The 14.82-kilometer Skyway Stage 3 project would interconnect the southern and northern areas of Metro Manila to help decongest traffic and stimulate the growth of trade and industry in southern, central and northern Luzon areas.