Metro Pacific tollways unit resumes Cavitex, Calax works

MANILA, Philippines — Metro Pacific Tollways South Management Corp. (MPT South) has resumed construction-related activities for the Cavite Expressway (CAVITEX) and Cavite-Laguna Expressway (CALAX).

MPT South said road widening construction for CAVITEX R-1 second phase of bridge works in Parañaque, Las Piñas and Wawa has resumed and now at 55 percent completion.

Construction personnel and allied services were also remobilized for the resumption of works in CALAX subsections 4 and 5 and Cavite segment.

Right-of-way acquisitions for Cavite segment and subsection 4 are still ongoing.

Meanwhile, right-of-way acquisitions are at 81 percent at the CAVITEX C5 Link Segment 3A2 and Segment 2.

MPT South said a letter of award has been issued to the qualified bidder, while details of project execution are currently in the works.

“The guidelines of DPWH are specific to help stem the disease. The contractors must follow new protocols at the jobsite which changes the preparation and mobilization time of the projects, these adjustments have an effect on the timeline,” MPT South president and general manager Roberto Bontia said.

“We also give great consideration on the renewed focus by the government on BBB projects; we want to accelerate completion of projects – subject to DPWH and the Department of Health guidelines,” Bontia said.

CAVITEX, C5 Link and CALAX have remained open 24/7 to facilitate the unhampered flow of goods and services amid the implementation of the enhanced community quarantine last March.

“With the relaxing of the community quarantine, we need to get the projects back on track, most especially the BBB projects which aims to spur and sustain economic growth by constructing infrastructure projects badly needed by the country. The guidelines set is to ensure the health and safety of everyone involved in the projects. Strict compliance is expected,” DPWH Secretary Mark Villar said.

Also, MPT South is encouraging the use of the radio frequency identification or RFID which allows for contactless passage through the toll plazas.

MPT South said contactless transactions would be key in helping stop the spread of the coronavirus disease 2019 or COVID-19 as well as in practicing physical distancing for the motoring public.

Several convenient ways are being offered for motorists to avail of the RFID for cashless transactions.

MPT South said the newest innovation and offering of Easytrip Services Corp. is the Stick-it-Yourself RFID, which allows class 1 motorists to order their Easytrip RFID online and have it delivered at their doorstep.

The package comes with an RFID positioning guide, user guide, and Easytrip card for convenient reloading.

Motorists will also find customer service centers at the Cavite Expressway (CAVITEX), C5 Link and Cavite-Laguna Expressway (CALAX) open for installation and reloading.

MPT South also recently activated the Easytrip Express Lanes at Lane 16 Paranaque Toll Plaza Manila Bound and Merville Toll Plaza.

“MPT South is one with the government in the fight against this pandemic and recognizes the need to provide unhampered flow and faster pass through of all vehicles. We are committed to serve and maintain the safety of our motorists prior and beyond this crisis,” the company said.

MPT South is a unit of Metro Pacific Tollways Corp. that holds the concessions for CAVITEX, C5 Link Expressway, CALAX, the North Luzon Expressway (NLEX), the NLEX Connector Road, the Subic-Clark-Tarlac Expressway and the Cebu-Cordova Link Expressway in Cebu.