The state-owned Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA) targets to sign with the Manila North Tollways Corp. (MNTC) an agreement that will pave the way for the integration of the North Luzon Expressway (Nlex) and Subic-Clark-Tarlac Expressway (SCTEx) before its February 12 deadline set by Senate President Franklin M. Drilon.
“The BCDA is coordinating with Manila North Tollways Corp. to speed up the signing of the agreement on the [Nlex-SCTEx] integration,” the BCDA said on Wednesday.
BCDA President and CEO Arnel Paciano Casanova said the BCDA was eyeing for the agreement signing by first week of February this year.
“We are just waiting for the go-signal of the Office of the Government Corporate Counsel before we can sign off on the agreement,” Casanova said.
“We just need to thresh out details on the settlement of payments and other documentation,” he said.
MNTC sees that about P600 million will be spent for the integration project, which includes the relocation of the toll plaza, additional toll booths, and the deployment of the electronic payment system.
The integration works are expected to begin immediately after the signing of the agreement.
MNTC is targeting to complete the Nlex-SCTEx integration by November. The toll integration agreement, once signed, will be elevated to the Toll Regulatory Board for approval.
Currently, only the SCTEx and Tarlac-Pangasinan-La Union Expressway are partially integrated.
“For the long term, there will be discussions for a unified radio frequency ID and other technologies to make it even more efficient for operators and motorists,” the BCDA chief said.
Kris M. Crismundo / Philippines News Agency