DPWH to complete review of Ayala Corp., SM Investments-proposed C3EX in 120 days

Within the next 120 days, the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) will be able to review the unsolicited proposal of conglomerates Ayala Corp. (AC) and SM Investments Corp. (SMIC) to build a new elevated expressway as alternative to EDSA, Secretary Mark A. Villar said Thursday.

"Kaya naman," Villar told reporters when asked if the department would be able to complete a review of the P25-billion unsolicited proposal of AC and SMIC.

The C3 Elevated Expressway (C3EX) is envisioned to run 8.6 kilometers from Sta. Mesa in Manila to the Mall of Asia Complex in Pasay City, providing an alternate route from Pasay and Makati City to the cities of Manila and Quezon.

The proposed thoroughfare is also expected cut travel time from Quezon City to Makati to 15 minutes from around one hour, and allows motorists to go from Pasay to Makati without passing through EDSA, the country's busiest highway.

AC Infrastructure Holdings CEO Jose Rene Gregory D. Almendras said the companies submitted the proposal to the government on March 31.

"We're hoping for the acknowledgment letter from the DPWH," he told GMA News Online on the sidelines of a recent event. The companies sought a 120-day review of the proposal.

With the project still in the pre-development stage, Almendras declined to specify how the partnership between the countries largest conglomerates will pan out.

"We have to wait for us to be acknowledged. It's too early to talk about partners 'pag hindi pa sigurado 'yung project" he said.

The department heeds due process in reviewing unsolicited proposals, the Cabinet official said.

"Dadaan sa proseso. The technical aspects are still under valuation. We'll just keep updating as things progress," he said.

"Kung anong makakacontribute sa ating infrastructure program, kung private sector and makakapagbigay ng magandang proyekto, then why not. Pero kailangan dumaan sa tamang proseso," he added.

The proposal will must also be approved by the National Economic and Development Authority Board, chaired by President Rodrigo Duterte, before it can proceed. — VDS, GMA News