Tag: construction

DPWH Says No Projects In Muntinlupa City Are Currently Under Investigation For Substandard Work

DPWH Says No Projects In Muntinlupa City Are Currently Under Investigation For Substandard Work

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Recently the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) replied to the official letter of inquiry by the SK Federation of Muntinlupa and the agency confirmed that no projects in Muntinlupa City are currently under investigation for substandard work, according to a news report by BusinessMirror. The DPWH also revealed details about two specific projects in Barangay Poblacion.

To put things in perspective, posted below is an excerpt from the news report of the BusinessMirror. Some parts in boldface…

Sparked by Councilor Jonas Abadilla’s post on the SK Federation’s inquiry to DPWH, the story reflects a growing movement of young leaders seeking clarity and accountability, reminding the public that scrutiny, not suspicion, is the real measure of good governance.

The DPWH replied in full, and took responsibility.

The Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) Federation of Muntinlupa City has written to the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Las Piñas–Muntinlupa District Engineering Office to seek clarity on the selection and implementation of flood control projects in the city, including two in Barangay Poblacion worth a combined ₱143.5 million.

In its letter dated September 25, 2025, the SK Federation, joined by youth councils and alliances from Barangay Poblacion and Southville 3  raised concerns about how infrastructure priorities are identified and approved, particularly amid public speculation over several projects.

Among the questions raised: who decides which flood control projects get implemented, what criteria are used to select locations, and who approved the ₱49 million project near Caltex and the ₱94.5 million project in Southville 3. The youth groups also asked whether any Muntinlupa projects were part of ongoing investigations into substandard DPWH works.

“We believe that transparency must be achieved in order to foster inclusivity, ethical governance, and genuine service to our constituents,” the SK letter read. “We seek clarity to ensure that information shared with our fellow citizens is accurate and not subject to abuse.”

In its reply, the DPWH District Engineering Office thanked the SK for its vigilance and clarified that project identification and implementation are handled by the DPWH in coordination with local governments and district representatives, but that final approval rests with the DPWH Central Office, under the General Appropriations Act passed by Congress.

DPWH also explained that flood control projects are identified based on community vulnerability, technical studies, and protection of existing infrastructure.

The ₱49 million Caltex-area project, it said, is part of a broader series of flood mitigation works along the Magdaong River, completed in 2022 to prevent bank erosion threatening the national road.

The ₱94.5 million Southville 3 project, meanwhile, is preventive in nature: meant to avert erosion and landslides near a proposed national link road. It remains suspended pending DENR permits, with no payments yet made to the contractor.

The agency stressed that no projects in Muntinlupa are currently under investigation for substandard work, and that all undergo “strict quality control” monitored by DPWH and independent auditors.

For the SK Federation, the inquiry was an exercise in responsible citizenship — a way of using its mandate to promote transparency beyond youth programming.

Let me end this post by asking you readers: What is your reaction to this recent development? If you are a resident of Muntinlupa City, what do you think about DPWH projects in the city? Are many members in your local community feeling angry over the corruption scandals related to flood control projects and DPWH projects around the country?

You may answer in the comments below. If you prefer to answer privately, you may do so by sending me a direct message online.

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Thank you for reading. If you find this article engaging, please click the like button below, share this article to others and also please consider making a donation to support my publishing. If you are looking for a copywriter to create content for your special project or business, check out my services and my portfolio. Feel free to contact me with a private message. Also please feel free to visit my Facebook page Author Carlo Carrasco and follow me on Twitter at  @HavenorFantasy as well as on Tumblr at https://carlocarrasco.tumblr.com/ and on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/authorcarlocarrasco

For more South Metro Manila community news and developments, come back here soon. Also say NO to fake news, NO to irresponsible journalism, NO to misinformation, NO to plagiarists, NO to reckless publishers and NO to sinister propaganda when it comes to news and developments. For South Metro Manila community developments, member engagement, commerce and other relevant updates, join the growing South Metro Manila Facebook group at https://www.facebook.com/groups/342183059992673

Las Piñas City Congressman Santos Says 13 Infrastructure Projects Awarded To 4 Discaya Construction Firms

Las Piñas City Congressman Santos Says 13 Infrastructure Projects Awarded To 4 Discaya Construction Firms

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Here in the Philippines, a lot of people are angry over the flood control projects scandals. This is in reference to several flood control projects that collectively remained incomplete, completed but got damaged later due to using sub-standard materials, and that alleged kickbacks were involved in the awarding of contracts by the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) to contractors.

In the City of Las Piñas, Congressman Mark Santos revealed that four construction firms owned by the controversial Discaya couple were awarded contracts for thirteen projects in the city worth more than P450 million, according to a Malaya Business Insight news report. It should be noted that a lot of DPWH projects lacked permits from the City Government. On the other hand, Sarah Discaya admitted owning several construction firms that bid for DPWH projects.

To put things in perspective, posted below is an excerpt from the Malaya news report. Some parts in boldface…

FOUR construction firms owned by Sarah Discaya cornered 13 flood control and national infrastructure projects, worth about P452 million, in Las Piñas City in the past three years, city Rep. Mark Anthony Santos said yesterday.

Santos laughed off Discaya’s denial in the Senate, saying records from the Department of Public Works and Highways would show that her firm Alpha & Omega’s P18.9-million flood control project in Barangay Zapote was a “glaring failure” as it was only 26.41 percent completed when the construction deadline lapsed in August 2025.

The neophyte lawmaker said that aside from Alpha & Omega General Construction and Development Corp., Discaya’s other companies, St. Matthew General Contractor and Development Corp.; Amethyst Horizon Builders and General Contractor; and Great Pacific Builders and General Contractor Inc., also got several multi-million-peso projects in Las Piñas between 2022 and 2025.

Alpha & Omega, which cornered about P100 billion of the P545.6-billion budget from July 2022 to May 2025, was among the top 15 contractors for flood control projects earlier identified by the President.

Santos disclosed that the Las Piñas-Muntinlupa District Engineering Office of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), formerly headed by district engineer Isabelo Baleros, awarded Alpha & Omega a P49-million contract in February 2022 for the construction of a flood control structure along Mahabang Ilog in Barangay Zapote.

However, just a month later, Santos said the DPWH office handed another P49-million flood control project in Mahabang Tubig, also in Zapote, to another  Discaya’s firm, St. Matthew General Contractor and Development Corp.

He said Discaya’s Great Pacific Builders and General Contractor Inc. also received a P26.3-million contract in February 2023 for a flood control project along Manarigo Creek.

Just a month later, in March 2023, Santos said another P49-million flood control project for Paliwas Creek was awarded to Amethyst Horizon Builders and General Contractor, also one of the nine construction firms of the Discayas.

Santos said all flood control projects in his city from 2022 to 2025 that were awarded to the Discayas’ construction firms were confirmed by DPWH Undersecretary for Technical Services Ador Canlas.

“Records speak louder than claims. The Discayas’ repeated awards in Las Piñas are documented, and they cannot hide behind denials or excuses,” Santos said in a statement.

Santos said Canlas also told him that nine multi-million-peso government infrastructure projects had been awarded to the four construction firms of the Discayas, which includes the P9.7-million road rehabilitation in Barangay Zapote, the P6.8-million road rehabilitation in Barangay Talon 5, and the P9.8-million rehabilitation of Las Piñas Elementary School–Central.

The lawmaker said all three projects were awarded to Amethyst Horizon Builders in 2022 under Baleros who was appointed head of the DPWH Las Piñas–Muntinlupa District Engineering Office in August 2018 when the DPWH was headed by then Secretary now Sen. Mark Villar.

Santos said Discaya’s Great Pacific Builders “further solidified the family’s stranglehold on Las Piñas infrastructure” when it also secured the P4.8-million school building rehabilitation in Barangay Talon 1 in 2023.

He said the contracts did not end there as these were followed by another two P14.4-million multi-purpose building rehabilitations in 2024 in Barangay Manuyo Dos and Barangay Pulang Lupa Dos, “underscoring a clear pattern of cornering lucrative government contracts.”

Let me end this piece by asking you readers: If you are a resident of Las Piñas City, what is your reaction to this development? Are you concerned that the many questionable flood control projects in the city will leave people vulnerable to more flooding incidents in the near future?

You may answer in the comments below. If you prefer to answer privately, you may do so by sending me a direct message online.

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Thank you for reading. If you find this article engaging, please click the like button below, share this article to others and also please consider making a donation to support my publishing. If you are looking for a copywriter to create content for your special project or business, check out my services and my portfolio. Feel free to contact me with a private message. Also please feel free to visit my Facebook page Author Carlo Carrasco and follow me on Twitter at  @HavenorFantasy as well as on Tumblr at https://carlocarrasco.tumblr.com/ and on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/authorcarlocarrasco

For more South Metro Manila community news and developments, come back here soon. Also say NO to fake news, NO to irresponsible journalism, NO to misinformation, NO to plagiarists, NO to reckless publishers and NO to sinister propaganda when it comes to news and developments. For South Metro Manila community developments, member engagement, commerce and other relevant updates, join the growing South Metro Manila Facebook group at https://www.facebook.com/groups/342183059992673

Further rate cuts by BSP could boost demand for condominium units and new residential projects in Metro Manila

Further rate cuts by BSP could boost demand for condominium units and new residential projects in Metro Manila

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Here in Metro Manila, there is currently an oversupply of condominium units. Further rate cuts by the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) could boost demand for existing condominium units and also new residential projects within the metropolis, according to a BusinessWorld news report.

To put things in perspective, posted below is an excerpt from the BusinessWorld report. Some parts in boldface…

FURTHER RATE CUTS by the Philippine central bank could help spur new residential project launches and drive take-up of existing condominiums in Metro Manila, a property consultant said.

In its third-quarter property market report, Leechiu Property Consultants (LPC) said the inventory level of condominium units in Metro Manila has reached 67,600 units across 510 buildings — “the highest since the pandemic.”

“It’s an oversupply of the buildings in the market at 29 months’ supply. (Developers) have been slowly launching new projects,” LPC Research Director Roy Amado Golez said at a briefing on Oct. 8.

Quezon City and Ortigas (plus fringe areas) have the most number of unsold condominium units at 18,000 and 13,500, respectively.

High interest rates may have dampened demand for residential condominiums in Metro Manila. LPC said 6,885 units were sold in the July-to-September period, “close to the 7,000 level for the third straight quarter.”

The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) had kept its policy rate at an over 17-year high of 6.5% from October 2023 to mid-August 2024. It reduced the benchmark rate to 6.25% at its Aug. 15 meeting.

“The interest rate levels today are still at elevated levels, at 6.25%. However, we’ll be likely seeing rate cuts in October as well as December. Hopefully, those rate cuts will  boost… the residential market,” Mr. Golez said.

BSP Governor Eli M. Remolona, Jr. earlier signaled the Monetary Board could deliver two 25-basis-point (bp) rate cuts at each of its two remaining meetings this year.

LPC said rate cuts would help ease lending conditions for both developers and homebuyers, as well as encourage developers to launch new projects.

Muted demand may have prompted developers to defer new residential projects. New project launches plunged by 39% to 2,145 units in the quarter ending September, which LPC said was the lowest since the pandemic.

“What developers are most likely doing now is reselling or re-launching or reintroducing marketing programs for their current inventory,” Mr. Golez said, adding that lower interest rates may provide a lift to sales in the next few quarters.

Let me end this post by asking you readers: What is your reaction to this recent development? Do you think the BSP should reduce the rates soon so that the residential market of Metro Manila will be reinvigorated? Are there any families in your local community who intend to buy a condominium unit and live in it?

You may answer in the comments below. If you prefer to answer privately, you may do so by sending me a direct message online.

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Thank you for reading. If you find this article engaging, please click the like button below, share this article to others and also please consider making a donation to support my publishing. If you are looking for a copywriter to create content for your special project or business, check out my services and my portfolio. Feel free to contact me with a private message. Also please feel free to visit my Facebook page Author Carlo Carrasco and follow me on Twitter at  @HavenorFantasy as well as on Tumblr at https://carlocarrasco.tumblr.com/ and on Instagram athttps://www.instagram.com/authorcarlocarrasco

For more South Metro Manila community news and developments, come back here soon. Also say NO to fake news, NO to irresponsible journalism, NO to misinformation, NO to plagiarists, NO to reckless publishers and NO to sinister propaganda when it comes to news and developments. For South Metro Manila community developments, member engagement, commerce and other relevant updates, join the growing South Metro Manila Facebook group at https://www.facebook.com/groups/342183059992673

Muntinlupa City Government to prohibit all new construction on earthquake fault zones

Muntinlupa City Government to prohibit all new construction on earthquake fault zones

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The City Government of Muntinlupa just announced that all new construction located on earthquake fault zones will be prohibited and already the implementing rules and regulations (IRR) of City Ordinance 2024-174 are being drafted, according to a Manila Bulletin news report.

To put things in perspective, posted below is an excerpt from the Manila Bulletin news report. Some parts in boldface…

The Muntinlupa City government will prohibit all new construction on earthquake fault zones in the city.

Mayor Ruffy Biazon announced this on June 13 as he led the meeting of the Local Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council.

The Muntinlupa City government is drafting the implementing rules and regulations (IRR) of City Ordinance 2024-174 or the Fault Zone Ordinance of 2024.

“Through this ordinance, we aim to ensure the safety of our constituents from earthquake risks by prohibiting construction in areas affected by the West Valley Fault and ground fissures,” said Biazon.

According to the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology and Science and Technology Information Institute (STII), “the West Valley Fault system is an imaginary line marking the area where the different fault systems are located underground and are actively moving from where a big earthquake may originate.”

The Valley Fault System “is an active fault system composed of two fault segments: the 10-km long East Valley Fault (EVF) in Rizal and the 100 km long West Valley Fault (WVF) that runs through different cities and towns of Bulacan, Rizal, Metro Manila, Cavite, and Laguna. The WVF can generate a large earthquake with a magnitude of 7.2 or commonly known as ‘The Big One’ which poses threat to people, livelihood, buildings and infrastructures.”

In April, the Muntinlupa City Council passed the ordinance, which was signed by Biazon on April 16.

Under the ordinance, new construction will be barred on earthquake fault zones transected by the West Valley Fault and Fissure in Muntinlupa.

The identification of the no-build zones will be based on the 2015 Valley Fault Atlas published by the Philippines Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS), which “shows an expanded reach and scope of these earthquake fault and fissures in Muntinlupa City.”

The Muntinlupa City Council passed Ordinance 2024-174 or the Fault Zone Ordinance of 2024, which was signed by Mayor Ruffy Biazon on April 16.

“There are existing faults and fissures zones in City of Muntinlupa, which need to be effectively identified, zoned and delineated to promote the safety and provide guidance to the inhabitants of Muntinlupa City and the general public,” according to the ordinance.

The ordinance mandates that “permanent fault markers shall be installed for the purpose of awareness and preparedness following national and international standard roadside traffic designs and materials.”

It added that “buildings, structures, and other properties transected by the West Valley Fault and Fissures, as appearing in the Valley Fault Atlas published by Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHILVOCS), are considered dangerous and unsafe for human occupancy.”

Let me end this post by asking you readers: What is your reaction to this recent development? If you are a resident of Muntinlupa City, do you agree with the City Government’s prohibition on all construction on earthquake fault zones? Is your local community located near an earthquake fault zone?

You may answer in the comments below. If you prefer to answer privately, you may do so by sending me a direct message online.

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Thank you for reading. If you find this article engaging, please click the like button below, share this article to others and also please consider making a donation to support my publishing. If you are looking for a copywriter to create content for your special project or business, check out my services and my portfolio. Feel free to contact me with a private message. Also please feel free to visit my Facebook page Author Carlo Carrasco and follow me on Twitter at  @HavenorFantasy as well as on Tumblr at https://carlocarrasco.tumblr.com/ and on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/authorcarlocarrasco

For more South Metro Manila community news and developments, come back here soon. Also say NO to fake news, NO to irresponsible journalism, NO to misinformation, NO to plagiarists, NO to reckless publishers and NO to sinister propaganda when it comes to news and developments. For South Metro Manila community developments, member engagement, commerce and other relevant updates, join the growing South Metro Manila Facebook group at https://www.facebook.com/groups/342183059992673

Philippine economic growth for 2023 could hit 5.5%

Philippine economic growth for 2023 could hit 5.5%

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In the views of the First Metro Investment Corporation (FMIC) and the University of the Asia and the Pacific (UA&P), the economy of the Philippines could grow by 5.5% for the year, according to a news article by Philippine News Agency (PNA). 2023 has been an economically challenging year and many anticipated that the national economy won’t grow as high as it did in 2022.

To put things in perspective, posted below is an excerpt from the PNA news report. Some parts in boldface…

The Philippine economy is projected to grow by 5.5 percent this year, driven by the growth in government spending, a report released by the First Metro Investment Corporation (FMIC) and the University of the Asia and the Pacific (UA&P) said.

In the September issue of The Market Call released on Wednesday, FMIC and UA&P said Philippine economic growth in the third quarter of the year will likely reach 5.0 to 5.2 percent.

For the fourth quarter of this year, FMIC and UA&P project the country’s gross domestic product (GDP) to grow by 6 percent.

This would bring the full year GDP growth to 5.5 percent which is slightly below the government’s 6 to 7 percent target for this year.

“Despite the weak July-August, we think the NG will accelerate further its spending on infrastructure and transportation for the rest of the year, and employment will have strong rebound in September,” the report said.

The Philippine economy grew by 4.3 percent in the second quarter of this year. During the quarter, government expenditure contracted by 7.1 percent.

FMIC and UA&P however expect government spending to accelerate in the second half of the year.

“National Government took up the slack in July spending as it ramped up expenditures by 16.2 percent year-on-year in July through higher social protection and infrastructure outlays,” the report said.

Aside from government spending, FMIC and UA&P also expect manufacturing and construction to drive growth.

Let me end this piece by asking you readers: What is your reaction to this recent development? Do you think the national economy can do better than the 5.5% growth foreseen by the First Metro Investment Corporation (FMIC) and the University of the Asia and the Pacific (UA&P)?

You may answer in the comments below. If you prefer to answer privately, you may do so by sending me a direct message online.

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Thank you for reading. If you find this article engaging, please click the like button below, share this article to others and also please consider making a donation to support my publishing. If you are looking for a copywriter to create content for your special project or business, check out my services and my portfolio. Feel free to contact me with a private message. Also please feel free to visit my Facebook page Author Carlo Carrasco and follow me on Twitter at  @HavenorFantasy as well as on Tumblr at https://carlocarrasco.tumblr.com/ and on Instagram athttps://www.instagram.com/authorcarlocarrasco

Construction of new Muntinlupa City baseball field progressing

Construction of new Muntinlupa City baseball field progressing

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In the progressive city of Muntinlupa, the City Government recently announced through its official Facebook page that the construction of a new baseball field is gradually moving on. In fact, the local authorities announced that the said facility located in Barangay Tunasan is 80% completed.

An image that the City Government shared on its official Facebook page. (photo source – City Government of Muntinlupa Facebook page)

Take note that Muntinlupa already has a very modern aquatics center as well as a track-and-field oval under the City Government.

To put things in perspective, posted below is the excerpt from the City Government’s Facebook post dated June 7, 2023. The follow is content translated from Tagalog into English. Some parts in boldface…

The construction of the new baseball field at the Muntinlupa Sports Complex in Brgy. Tunasan.

According to City Engr. Dynadelle Aranda, the said baseball field is 80% completed.

This project is part of strengthening sports development in the city, as well as the health and wellness of the citizens.

Recently, the Bayanan Elementary School Main (Elementary Division) and PAREF Southridge School (High School Division) Baseball Teams, representing Muntinlupa, won the recently concluded NCR Palaro Regional Meet 2023 held in Marikina City from April 24-28.

Because of this win, Muntinlupa City will be the representative of NCR in the coming Pre-National Qualifying Meet before the 63rd Palarong Pambansa from July 29 to August 5, 2023.

Let me end this piece by asking you readers: If you are a Muntinlupa City resident, what is your reaction to this development? Are you feeling excited about the city having a new baseball field?

You may answer in the comments below. If you prefer to answer privately, you may do so by sending me a direct message online.

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Thank you for reading. If you find this article engaging, please click the like button below, share this article to others and also please consider making a donation to support my publishing. If you are looking for a copywriter to create content for your special project or business, check out my services and my portfolio. Feel free to contact me with a private message. Also please feel free to visit my Facebook page Author Carlo Carrasco and follow me on Twitter at  @HavenorFantasy as well as on Tumblr at https://carlocarrasco.tumblr.com/ and on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/authorcarlocarrasco

For more South Metro Manila community news and developments, come back here soon. Also say NO to fake news, NO to irresponsible journalism, NO to misinformation, NO to plagiarists, NO to reckless publishers and NO to sinister propaganda when it comes to news and developments. For South Metro Manila community developments, member engagements, commerce and other relevant updates, join the growing South Metro Manila Facebook group at https://www.facebook.com/groups/342183059992673

Alabang Hills Village Association (AHVA) Updates (July 27, 2019)

Alabang Hills Village Association (AHVA) Updates (July 27, 2019)

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The Alabang Hills Village Association (AHVA) in Alabang Hills Village, Barangay Cupang, Muntinlupa City announced that more village stickers for specific people will be released very soon.

Firstly, the 2019 edition of the vehicular stickers for Alabang Hills residents will be released on August 5, 2019. Each sticker will cost as follows (according to the AHVA’s Secretary’s Certificate dated July 6, 2017):

First four cars – P100 per vehicle

Next three cars – P300 per vehicle

Next three cars – P600 per vehicle

11 or more cars – P1,200 per vehicle

For the commercial vehicles, the stickers will be released on August 12, 2019. The stickers will cost P1,500 per vehicle (four wheels) and P2,250 per vehicle (six wheels).

Last but not least, stickers for motorcycles and bicycles will be released on August 12, 2019. The rates for resident motorcycles and bicycles are P100 each, while non-resident motorcycles and bicycles will cost P225 per sticker.

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Pay close attention to the details displayed.

The same AHVA Secretary’s Certificate shows that the replacement sticker rates are at P50 for residents and P100 for non-residents.

AHVA clubhouse update

Meanwhile, the AHVA announced on July 18 that the repair of the village clubhouse locate along Don Jesus Boulevard will be completed next month although no specific date was mentioned. The association announced that its Board of Directors made a decision to allot spaces to service providers that should benefit the residents.

The association officially invited interested parties for the following types of service (with space):

Coffee shop (90 square meters)

Beauty Salon and Barber Shop (70 square meters)

Convenience store (33 square meters)

“The renovated AHV Clubhouse promises an enticing site to relax, socialize and hangout apart from providing security, clinical health and business services,” AHVA president Benjamin Y. Munasque, Jr. wrote.

For the service providers, letters of intent (LOI) with a brief business description are to be submitted to AHVA Village Manager Lanie Rosas BEFORE 5PM of July 31.

For clarifications and inquiries, it is best for you to call the association at phone numbers 850-8254, 850-9631 and fax number 850-7685. They can be reached by email at ahvainc08@yahoo.com

 

 

 

 

 

Cavite-Laguna Expressway (CALAEX) 27-Kilometer Segment Construction Has Begun!

Cavite-Laguna Expressway (CALAEX) 27-Kilometer Segment Construction Has Begun!

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As a resident living in South Metro Manila, I always prefer to see the entire Philippines’ infrastructure get developed and expanded tremendously because the benefits of improved travel time and experience will be felt by the riding public for the long term. At the same time, such improvements will help travelers reach the far-away destinations with better speed and in less time.

Today I learned about some good news – the Cavite-Laguna Expressway (CALAEX) has started construction beginning with a 27-kilometer section. A groundbreaking ceremony was held at Alapan II-B Village in Cavite Province on March 27. The CALAEX itself has a grand total distance of 45 kilometers.

As announced on the Philippine News Agency (PNA) website, the P12-billion Cavite segment will ensure a safe, efficient and seamless travel for motorists from the history town of Kawit in Cavite to the South Luzon Expressway (SLEX) – Mamplasan Interchange. It is expected to cut travel time from 2.5 hours to less than 45 minutes and help decongest approximately fifty thousand cars.

Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Secretary Mark Villar declared that  the project is part of the President Rodrigo Duterte administration’s masterplan to connect Luzon from north to south, to be called the “Luzon Spine Expressway Network” (LSEN), to increase the current 300-km. high-speed expressway to 1,000 km. by the year 2022. Duterte’s term of office will end in that year.

“We will deliver not just on our promise to solve traffic, but to bring development to our provinces,” Villar announced.

More on speed, the expressways are not only expected to cut travel time for motorists but help add to the development of the provinces of Cavite and Laguna.  Cavite is now the biggest in terms of population among the country’s provinces, with an estimated 4.1 million people according to 2016 data from the Philippine Statistics Authority.

In terms of cooperation, Cavite Governor Jesus Crispin Remulla said this “speaks volumes about the dynamism of the government and its private partner.” He said the expressway will connect Laguna and Cavite, and declog the South Luzon Expressway (SLEX).

Meanwhile the Laguna segment of the CALAEX project is now in full swing which, according to Metro Pacific Tollways Corp. (MPTC) president and Chief Executive Officer, Rodrigo Franco, is expected to open the first section during the third quarter or as early as July this year.

When it comes to economic development by means of job creation, the CALAEX will employ some 1,200 personnel for its Laguna segment and close to 1,300 more for site and office personnel as its Cavite segment progresses. It is part of the network of toll roads that the MPTC is constructing and developing, which will connect to Cavitex and the C5-South Link and will make transfers from Laguna, Cavite, Las Piñas, Parañaque, and CP Garcia Ave. seamless.

The CALAEX is one of many projects being done under the highly ambitious Build Build Build program of the Duterte administration. Build Build Build lists down high impact projects that are envisioned to improve the economy, increase incomes, invite investments leading to job creation. In his 10-point Socioeconomic Agenda, President Duterte envisioned the reduction of poverty from 21.6% in 2015 to 13% to 15% in 2022. It was emphasized that the acceleration of infrastructure development will pave the way for a more comfortable life, better travel and improved economic development nationwide.