DPWH chief says ₱25.24-B CTBEX to ‘push through’

Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, March 13) — The proposed ₱25.24-billion Cavite-Tagaytay-Batangas Expressway (CTBEX) of Pangilinan-led Metro Pacific Tollways South will be pursued as the Marcos administration revives the private sector’s participation in infrastructure development, the Public Works chief said.

Department of Public Works and Highways Secretary Manuel Bonoan said the CTBEX project would “push through,” noting they do not see it overlapping with San Miguel Holdings’ Cavite Batangas Expressway (CBEX).

“The two projects will push through, but we will have to iron out some pending issues. So that both of them can start,” he told media members recently.

“Let's see on how we can interconnect the two and plus the alignment,” he added.

MPT South secured the original proponent status for the construction of the CTBEX in 2018.

It is a 50.43-kilometer expressway designed to link Cavite and Batangas, with a spur road to Tagaytay City and ultimately terminating in Nasugbu and another spur road to Tuy, Batangas.

The Metro Pacific Tollways Corporation, MPT South’s parent company, has already spent $3 billion for 240.6 kms of existing expressway projects across the country and another 43.1 kms under construction.

It operates the North Luzon Expressway, the Subic Clark-Tarlac Expressway, the Manila-Cavite Expressway, and the Cebu-Cordova Link expressway.

The Cavite-Laguna Expressway project is also expected to be fully operational by 2024.