By Christopher Hedreyda
CALAMBA CITY, Laguna, Philippines (PIA) — President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. led the opening of the Cavite-Laguna Expressway (CALAX) Subsection 3 on May 4 in General Trias City, Cavite, which is seen to improve the connectivity and mobility of people, goods, and services between major cities in the provinces of Laguna and Cavite, and Metro Manila.
The 7.88-km new subsection of CALAX extends the expressway from Silang (Aguinaldo) to Governor’s Drive Interchange in General Trias City, Cavite.
The new segment is expected to further ease congestion and cut travel time between Biñan City, Laguna, and Gen. Trias City, Cavite, to just 26 minutes from one hour, further strengthening the commitment to slash traffic congestion and boost transport network.
Toll fees in CALAX Subsection 3 will be free for all classes for one month, the President announced, saying that aside from bringing ease of travel to motorists, it can also provide needed relief from their transportation costs.
“I can announce na mabuksan ito starting 12 midnight tonight and for one month, wala na muna toll. So, ‘yung ating mga kababayan, gamitin po ninyo, makita ninyo, maramdaman ninyo na ang malaking ginhawa na dinadala nitong mga ganitong malalaking project,” President Marcos said.
Designed to accommodate additional 6,000 motorists daily, CALAX Subsection 3 provides a faster alternative route for commuters and businesses by bypassing heavily congested local roads in Cavite’s growing industrial and residential corridors.
“Bubuksan natin itong section, which is about four and a half kilometers. ’Yung dating kalahating oras na biyahe ay magiging five minutes na lang, six minutes, kaya’t malaking bagay ito,” the Chief Executive added.
According to MPCALA Holdings Inc., the developer and operator of CALAX, the new subsection now spans 26 kilometers from Mamplasan Entry and will ultimately extend to 44.6 kilometers, linking the Manila-Cavite Expressway (CAVITEX) in Kawit, Cavite, to the South Luzon Expressway (SLEX) in Mamplasan, Laguna.
“At hindi lang kasi mabibilisan eh dahil ma-relieve din ang traffic. At tinitingnan namin doon sa mapa ay ‘yung inaantay natin na matagal na galing dito sa Silang hanggang Kawit na. ‘Yung dati mga dalawang oras, magiging kalahating oras, 45 minutes na lang,” the President said.
The President commits to support the continued expansion of the road network to connect people and enable economic growth.
“At ulit, kahit na nagtatrabaho ka sa Taguig, puwede kang nakatira dito sa Cavite. Kaya’t magandang-maganda na matapos na natin ito. This is ten years in the making at pahirapan kasi as usual ‘yung nagiging problema natin sa lahat ng construction ng mga kalsada ‘yung right of way,” he said.
The President was accompanied by Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Juanito Victor Remulla Jr., Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Secretary Vince Dizon, Department of Transportation (DOTr) Acting Secretary Giovanni Lopez, and Jose Ma. K. Lim, President Emeritus, of Metro Pacific Tollways Corporation (MPTC).
President Marcos then thanked Secretary Remulla, who he credited as crucial in the success of the project during his term as governor of Cavite, and the MVP Group for the CALAX Project implemented by the MPCALA Holdings Inc. with the DPWH as the grantor.
Once the CALAX and CAVITEX integration is completed, the combined network is projected to serve up to 95,000 vehicles per day, serving as a key economic corridor for trade and mobility in CALABARZON and Metro Manila. (CH/PIA-Laguna)
