MPIC unit seeks CAVITEX toll hike

MANILA, Philippines — Cavitex Infrastructure Corp. (CIC), a Metro Pacific Investments Corp. unit,  plans to seek an increase in toll fees with the looming completion of its enhancement works for the Cavite Expressway (CAVITEX).

CIC president Luigi Bautista said the company would file a petition with the Toll Regulatory Board (TRB) for an increase of 20 centavos  per kilometer, or P1.40 for seven kilometers  to recover investment in expanding the expressway.

“We will have to file a petition with TRB. Implementation depends on when TRB will decide,” he said. 

“The construction was already inspected. There’s a certificate that needs to be signed. It’s called certificate of substantial completion. So once that is signed by the independent consultant, that is the document you will need to be able to file the petition,” Bautista said.

Bautista said CIC would complete construction for the first phase of enhancement works for the CAVITEX this month.

Phase 1, which costs some P800 million, involves the widening of the expressway by adding one lane on both directions, as well as the construction of a flyover on the southbound lane at the intersection of Pacific Ave. 

The company will spend P300 million for Phase 2, which will involve the widening of three bridges at the Wawa, Las Piñas area.

Phase 2 is targeted to be completed by April or May next year.
  The CAVITEX is part of a road network being expanded by Metro Pacific Tollways Corp., the road infrastructure arm of MPIC.

It will connect to the 7.7-km C5-Southlink which will traverse Taguig, Las Piñas, Paranaque and the 45-km Cavite-Laguna Expressway until Mamplasan, Binan, Laguna.