The unsolicited proposal of Ayala Corp. and SM Investments Corp. for the construction of an expressway to decongest major thoroughfares in Metro Manila, including the heavily congested Edsa, is currently being reviewed by the public-works department.
Public Works Secretary Mark A. Villar said the P23.7-billion C3 Expressway (C3EX) proposal of the two conglomerates may be in conflict with some of the government’s planned projects, noting, however, that the review of the initial proposal has yet to be finished.
“We are reviewing it. It is at the very early stage of submission, so we are studying its effects on the existing projects. There might be some conflicts on alignments,” he said in a mix of English and Filipino.
He added that in order for his group to draw a conclusion out of the proposal, the companies must submit a few more requirements, including a complete viability study.
“They still have to submit a full-blown feasibility study. Some when they have submitted all of the requirements, we’ll be able to give [a decision]. But we already started the vetting process,” Villar said.
Earlier this year, the a consortium led by AC Infrastructure Holdings Corp. and SM Investments submitted an unsolicited proposal for the financing, design, construction and operations and maintenance of the C3EX.
Under the initial proposal, the two groups will build an 8.6-kilometer road that will start from the fringes of the Skyway Stage 3 at Santa Mesa in the city of Manila. It will continue across the San Juan and Pasig Rivers through the Santa Ana District in Makati City and then to the northern edge of Makati Central Business District before traveling west to end at Diokno Boulevard in Pasay City.
The road, when completed, is expected to serve over 50,000 vehicles per day upon completion of construction to relieve traffic congestion along Quirino Avenue and Edsa.
Villar noted that should there be conflicts on the alignment of the proposed C3EX, the public-works department may suggest the proponent to modify its proposal.
“There is an initial proposal, then we would note if there is a conflict or not, and then suggest changes. We are open to all projects, and there’s no problem to that. We are entertaining unsolicited proposals,” Villar said.
The said project is being opposed by San Miguel Corp., the operator of Skyway and Ninoy Aquino International Airport (Naia) Expressway.
Ramon S. Ang, the company’s president, was quoted as saying that the C3EX will “cannibalize” the Naia Expressway, and that by doing so, the government must pay the company a sum of P26 billion—P11 billion for the premium it paid for the project, and P15 billion for building the toll road.