MAKATI CITY – In anticipation of more traffic, the northern section of the North Luzon Expressway (NLEx) is slated for expansion and improvement amounting to up to P5 billion. This was stated by Manuel V. Pangilinan shortly after the conclusion of the annual PLDT Stockholders meeting at the Shangri-La Hotel here last week.
“We will file our application with the government for expansion within the year,” Pangilinan said adding that around
P4 billion to P5 billion will be allocated for the project.
The Manila North Tollways Corporation (MNTC) manages the NLEx which is operated by its Tollways Management Corporation. It is a subsidiary of the Metro Pacific Investment Corp. (MPIC) chaired by Pangilinan. Pangilinan said “starting in Candaba, traffic has been heavy, so there is a need to expand by at least one way either side.”
He said “after Candaba, it narrows but there is enough space for expansion.” The planned expansion is from Malolos, Bulacan all the way to Sta. Ines, Mabalacat City, Pampanga where the expressway ends. Pangilinan said that the Candaba viaduct will also be expanded by one lane each in either direction.
The viaduct expansion will be challenging but it can be done, he assured. “Medyo malaking investment yan (It’s kind of a huge investment),” he added. When asked if there will be changes in the design of some interchanges affected by the roadwork, Pangilinan said the problem is in the connection with the Subic- Clark-Tarlac Expressway (SCTEx) because the government has not yet approved their full takeover.
“The design (of the interchanges) may be changed, yes, but the problem is with the SCTEx connection because it has not yet been approved that’s why there are a lot of entry and exit booths,” he said. “So, I think Pampanga needs to open up the province and the region more,” he added.
Still interested in Clark
Meanwhile, Pangilinan said he has not lost interest in Clark. “I always have an interest in Clark but hindi lang namin pinu push baka sabihin bias ako kasi Kapampangan ako (…we don’t push it because they might think I am biased because I am a Kapampangan),” he said.
“I believe that the airport should be in Clark,” Pangilinan stated. He said the “fast train” is part and parcel of the airport. But there is no point in building a fast train if there is no airport, he added. However, Pangilinan said “the commuter rail is something that we would like to see developed up north and down south.”
