CALAX TOLL ROAD 15% COSTLIER AMID LOCKDOWNS, INFLATION SPIKE

Metro Pacific Tollways Corp. (MPTC) has spent an additional 15 percent on building the 44.57-kilometer Cavite-Laguna Expressway (Calax) due to delays in civil works and increase in construction material prices.

MPTC chief finance officer Christopher Lizo, in a press briefing in Cavite on Monday, told the reporters that the project had already been delayed for 2.5 years following the imposition of lockdown measures amid the pandemic. He noted that higher input prices had also pushed up project cost.

Data from the Department of Public Works and Highways showed that total project cost was pegged at P35.74 billion, of which P25.43 billion was for civil works.

“We still think we can finish the project by next year,” he said.

Overall, the project is 93.72-percent complete. Subsections 5 (Silang East to Sta. Rosa), 6 (Sta. Rosa to Laguna Blvd.), 7 (Laguna Blvd. to Laguna Technopark) and 8 (Laguna Technopark to Mamplasan) are already operational.

Subsection 4, which covers Silang East and Aguinaldo Interchanges, is at 64-percent completion.

MPTC subsidiary MPCALA Holdings Inc. (MHI), however, has yet to resolve the rightof-way issue for this portion of the toll road. The Pangilinan-led firm said this has stalled construction of drainage and bridge, excavation and roadway earthworks, among others.

“We’re still pursuing to complete the road in time for the Christmas rush to Tagaytay,” said Raul Ignacio, president of MHI.