MPTC pays concession fee for CALAX ahead of due date

Metro Pacific Tollways Corporation (MPTC) has paid the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) the second tranche of the concession fees for the Cavite-Laguna Expressway (CALAX) ahead of due date.

The MPTC said that the payment, amounting to P4.37 billion, was made ahead of the July 10 due date and was personally handed over by MPTC chairman Manuel V. Pangilinan to Public Works and Highways Secretary Mark A. Villar today.   

“It is our privilege to be Government’s private sector partner in this project of national significance.  And despite this Covid-19 pandemic, our work continues to serve our communities, and our people,” Pangilinan said. 

The payment is the second of six tranches amounting to P27.3 billion in total concession fees under the 35-year CALAX concession. The first tranche of PhP 5.460 billion was paid on July 10, 2015. 

“This payment will help enable the national government to fund development projects, high-priority resource management programs, operations, and concession-support activities,” Villar said.

The 44.6-kilometer, 4-lane CALAX toll road is partially operational. Last November 2019, the first 10 km. portion between Mamplasan, Binan City and Sta. Rosa City was opened to commuters. Construction is under way for the next 7.2 km. section between Sta. Rosa City and Silang, Cavite.   

“We are making good construction progress and together with DPWH Secretary Villar’s team, we are pulling out all the stops to deliver this important expressway.”  He added, “We believe the CALAX will enable mobility and become a real commuting option for our traffic harassed motorists in this new road corridor,” Roberto Bontia, president of MPTC-unit MPCALA Holdings Inc., said.  

Once completed, travel time between Kawit, Cavite to Binan City, Laguna is expected to be reduced to 45 minutes from the current 90 minutes. The completion of CALAX will make industrial zones, residential areas and tourist destinations around the two provinces more accessible. 

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