AFTER passing Santa Ines on the North Luzon Expressway (Nlex), I was preparing money as we approached Subic-Clark-Tarlac Expressway (SCTEx).
I told the driver to slow down. But to my surprise, he drove on. Stop! I said. He just smiled, saying, “Sir, may Nlex-SCTEx Integration na.” Then I noticed there was no more toll booth!
That’s how my friend Dante described to me his astonishment over the much-admired tollway integration implemented by the Manila North Tollways Corp. (MNTC) at the two best expressways this side of the world.
To those not yet in the know, since March this year, the Nlex and SCTEx have become one seamless road network. I learned about this only very recently when I went home to bury the remains of my departed, dearest Kuya Onie.
It is now from five stops to two for Subic-bound motorists, and four to two for those Tarlac-bound. The MNTC had “retired” five toll booths to make way for a smooth, almost unimpeded ride to your destination. Gel Enrique and Francis Talion, who drive all the way from Laguna to service their clients and attend meetings in Pangasinan, speak of the integration as “more than a blessing.”
Integration perfect
FRANCIS’S Cision Business Solutions supplies animal-feeds supplement. Gel is with Remsien, a trading and construction firm based in Pangasinan—Dante’s home province and mine, too.
“My father founded the Remsien in 1982, doing projects both for the government and private firms. In 2014 we ventured in commercial poultry farming,” Gel said.
Though Gel was born and raised in Lingayen, the capital of Pangasinan, he chose to live and raise his young family in Nuvali, Laguna.
“Driving from Edsa, Quezon City, to Balintawak is a pain, but with the integration of Nlex-SCTEx, travel has become faster,” Gel said. “From six-to-eight hour drive to Pangasinan, that’s been cut in half.”
Francis said: “The integration is perfect as I go to the North at least twice a week. Add the electronic toll-collection systems, widening of roads, new farm-to-market roads, proliferation of gas stations and food establishments make my journey bearable and enjoyable, especially for my kids.”
Transactions up
ALSO, toll transactions are up to 800 from 200 per hour before March.
“Since the integration, my business has become more productive,” said Aris Tuano, who is into the car rental and transport tours business. “No more traffic and long queues. That saves a lot of gas. The old gridlocks added to our fatigue when driving.”
The northbound is busiest on a Friday afternoon, while the Southbound is heaviest during Sunday night. But with the integration, Aris said: “Travel time was shortened by 40 minutes, and that translates to more clients, trips and rentals.”
Truly, with its two-to-eight-lane limited-access toll expressway that connects Metro Manila to Central Luzon, the Nlex-SCTEx continues to improve the lives of motorists.
“The expressways have always been vehicle-friendly,” said Francis, whose other business is called Herd and Flock Agribusiness.
“The smooth roads lead to less car maintenance. That’s really big savings for me.”
The same savings were realized by Gel.
More tourists heading North
“OUR poultry business is doing great,” Gel said. “Since the integration, sales improved, as the delivery trucks and harvesters come to our farm on time.”
MNTC data also show that more tourists are now heading North on a daily basis just to get a glimpse of the world-class infrastructure developments, experience continuous and relaxed driving or simply marvel at the scenic view of verdant fields and the majestic mountains of Mount Arayat and the Cordillera region. “The North has become more vibrant,” Aris said. “There are so many businesses along the expressways and tourism in the countryside is booming. This is so beneficial to my transport and even if my business is only three years old, I am already thinking of expanding it because of increasing demand.”
Gel, Aris and Francis are only a few whose businesses are growing. New entrepreneurs and more investors are targeting the North for their expansion.
“I think the efficiency of the Nlex-SCTEx integration does not only benefit businessmen, but the entire economy, as well as our farm produce will be quicker and cheaper to transport,” Aris said.
Symbolic to endless hopes
DRIVING through the gleaming pavement, the traveling entrepreneurs either see the endless greenery going North or the misty rolling mountain ranges on the way to Subic. Little do they know that these sights are symbolic to their endless hopes for a growing venture and, yes, vast possibilities of one business rolling into other businesses.
Now I realize this startling truth: An expressway can be a metaphor for business success.
PEE STOP I escaped the wrath of Typhoon Karen last weekend on board Danny “Sir John” Isla’s Lexus NX300h hybrid. With Karen’s rains just hours away to landfall, I hurriedly left Calauag, Quezon, with writer-journalist Sol F. Juvida in tow. Luckily, we arrived home in Quezon City in the nick of time—after an almost nine-hour drive from a mid-afternoon takeoff to near midnight. I kissed the blue Lexus before going to bed, gratuitously whispering on its hood: “You are my dream car from hereon.” Lotto, where are youuuu?