PNoy, PNCC, Citra Central, San Miguel launch P26-B PPP Skyway-3 project

By KIMBERLY JANE TAN, GMA News

Published January 22, 2014 10:25am

(Updated 11:57 a.m.) President Benigno Aquino III on Wednesday led the launch of the P26-billion Metro Manila Skyway Stage 3 Project, which will connect the North Luzon Expressway (NLEX) and South Luzon Expressway (NLEX) by 2017.

During Wednesday's groundbreaking ceremony, Aquino and other guests were shown a computer-generated image presentation of the Skyway Project Stage 3, which will complete the Metro Manila Skyway System from Alabang to Balintawak.

Construction starts in April and completes in three years.

Skyway Stage 3 Project, elevated tollway connecting skyway-SLEX to NLEX Balintawak | via @allangatus @dzbb pic.twitter.com/ib9x58CXlj
— GMA News (@gmanews) January 22, 2014

"Kumbinsido tayong makakamtan natin ang patong-patong na positibong bunga ng yugtong ito ng Skyway – mula sa masusulit na oras, pera, at gasolina, hanggang sa dagdag-trabaho at pag-arangkada ng komersyo’t pambansang ekonomiya," Aquino said in his speech during the event.

A major project under the Aquino administration's flagship infrastructure program – public-private partnership (PPP) initiative, Skyway Stage 3 is estimated to cost P26.5 billion.

Skyway-3 is being undertaken by Citra Central Expressway Corp. (CCEC) – a joint venture of Indonesia's Citra Lamtoro Gung Persada and state-run Philippine National Construction Corp. (PNCC) in partnership with San Miguel Corporation.

During the launch at at the Buendia end of the elevated section of the Skyway System in Makati City, President Aquino was joined by Citra president Shadik Wahono, San Miguel Corp., president and COO Ramon S. Ang, and PNCC president Luis Sison.

Specifically, the project will link Skyway Stage 1 at Buendia and through the junction of Osmeña Highway and Quirino Ave. towards Plaza Dilao, cross Pasig River, then cut through behind SM Sta. Mesa towards G. Araneta Ave., then cross Aurora Blvd., E. Rodriguez and Quezon Ave. towards Sgt. E. Rivera and on through A. Bonifacio towards Balintawak.

The 14.8-kilometer, elevated expressway is envisioned to decongest traffic in Metro Manila, especially C4 (EDSA), C5 (CP Garcia) and Central Metro Manila and cut down travel time from Buendia to Balintawak to 20 minutes, Makati to Quezon to 15 minutes; Makati to Manila to 10 minutes, and Makati to Sta. Mesa to 5 minutes.

"Mababawasan ang traffic sa EDSA at sa iba pang pangunahing kalsada sa kalakhang Maynila, dahil madaragdagan ang kalsadang puwedeng tahakin patungo sa katimugan at hilagang bahagi ng Luzon," said Aquino.

The President said another benefit of this project is the 6,000 direct jobs and 10,000 to 12,000 indirect jobs it will produce during the 36 months it will take to build Skyway-3.

He chided critics ahead of possible negative comments, saying even they will be given something to do. "Sa inisyal pong traffic na posibleng maidulot nito, malamang po ay may mga nag-aabang na ring kritiko na kokontra at magiging negatibo sa proyektong ito," he said.

However, he appealed for patience while the project is still in its construction phase and until the project is completed.

"Sa pagtulog natin sa madaling araw, wala naman pong dambuhalang helicopter ang ilalapag na lang ang Skyway na ito sa kalsada, at paggising natin ay kumpleto na ang proyekto. Mahalaga po ang paki-ki-isa ng lahat sa anumang adjustment na ating gagawin para mabigyang-daan ang konstruksyon nito," he said.– VS, GMA News

Tags: pppinitiative, philippinenationalconstructioncorp, citracentralexpresswaycorporation, sanmiguelcorp