Metro Pacific Tollways Corp. (MPTC) has come a long way from being just a toll road company, having expanded its network to become the largest toll road developer and operator in the Philippines, and now as a mobility solutions provider.
More than just building toll road infrastructure, MPTC, guided by its parent company Metro Pacific Investments Corp., has been driving progress and playing a key role to nation-building.
In its journey over the years, MPTC has remained true to its roots – which is providing motorists with a safe and convenient traveling experience, whether through its world-class expressways, or through its products and services.
P30-B CAPEX for 2022
This year, the company is again investing a hefty amount – about P30 billion – to support the company’s continuing efforts in improving Filipinos’ travel experience by completing a number of tollway projects and beefing up the operations of its new business unit called MPT Mobility Inc.
Bulk of MPTC’s capital spending plan for 2022 would go to the completion of big-ticket projects seen to help drive the country’s economic recovery, such as the Cebu-Cordova Link Expressway (CCLEX).
The P33-billion CCLEX, which is scheduled to open on April 27, is the first expressway project of MPTC outside Luzon.
The toll bridge spanning 8.9 kilometers will link mainland Cebu in Cebu City to Mactan Island through the Municipality of Cordova.
It is eyed to spur economic growth and boost investments not just in Cebu City and Cordova Municipality, but also in the entire Cebu Province and Visayas region.
Also to benefit from MPTC’s capital spending program this year are major projects like the Cavite-Laguna Expressway (CALAX), the Manila-Cavite Expressway (CAVITEX)-C5 Southlink, and the North Luzon Expressway (NLEX) Connector Road.
The P52.5-billion CALAX targets to serve around 45,000 motorists upon its full completion by 2023. Scheduled for completion by the third quarter of the year is the expressway’s Cavite segment.
CALAX is a 45-kilometer high-speed road network connecting the two provinces of Cavite and Laguna. It currently operates from Biñan, Laguna up to the east of Silang, Cavite.
MPTC is also set to finish soon the first phase of the P23.3-billion NLEX Connector road, which covers the first five-kilometer section of the project between the Caloocan and España interchanges.
Phase 2, or the three-kilometer road which extends the expressway southward from NLEX Harbor Link Caloocan Interchange on C3 Road, España Blvd., R. Magsaysay Blvd., all the way to Sta. Mesa, Manila, will be completed by the end of the year.
Operating above the Philippine National Railway lines, the NLEX Connector will be an integrated expressway connection between the NLEX and Metro Manila Skyway Stage 3 once completed.
Another MPTC project slated for completion by the fourth quarter of the year is the P17.2-billion CAVITEX C5 Link.
The CAVITEX C5 Link Expressway is a 7.70-km expressway from CAVITEX (R-1) to C5 (CP Garcia) Road traversing the cities of Paranaque, Pasay and Taguig and will complete the missing southern section of C-5 Road.
Scouting for more opportunities
Aside from these ongoing projects, MPTC also has a proposed Cavite-Tagaytay-Batangas Expressway (CTBEX) project, which is still awaiting final government approval.
CTBEX is one of the first projects that have been granted original proponent status by the Department of Public Works and Highways under the current administration back in July 2018.
The 50.42-kilometer toll facility is intended to connect seamlessly with CALAX and CAVITEX, and is expected to provide congestion relief to Aguinaldo Highway and Tagaytay-Nasugbu road. It is currently configured to have eight main interchanges and two spur roads.
CTBEX was conceived in early 2016 in line with MPTC’s commitment to help bring progress to the western part of Southern Luzon.
MPTC expects to spend an additional P25 billion if it secures the CTBEX project following a Swiss challenge.
MPTC is also continuously scouting for more opportunities and deals to further add to its existing tollway network both in the country and abroad.
Digitalization journey
In the era of digitalization, MPTC showed that it is by no means going to be left behind, as it transcended its core tollways business using the latest digital technology.
MPTC launched in October last year MPT Mobility, which houses all of its non-toll related enterprises.
MPT Mobility, composed of seven subsidiaries offering digitally-driven solutions, is seen helping strengthen MPTC’s commitment to improving mobility in various cities and provinces nationwide.
It is poised to be among the pacesetters of digital adoption with a conglomeration of seven new business units offering digitally driven solutions.
In line with these goals, an all-in-one travel app called DriveHub was introduced last February to make access and mobility efficient and easy for its customers.
Among the app’s core features are the Easytrip RFID reload and account balance, checking of toll service facilities along the MPTC expressways, and a toll fee calculator.
Another feature is a traffic update function that can help motorists anticipate MPTC expressway traffic conditions ahead.
MPT Mobility is getting around P1 billion of MPTC’s budgeted capex for this year, which will be used for businesses like advertising, parking and motorists facilities.
Committed to advancing sustainability
MPTC will also be spending P30 million this year to boost its sustainability efforts, such as the installation of more solar panels.
Committed to advancing sustainability, MPTC utilizes energy-efficient and resource-saving technologies in its operations.
As a testament to the company’s commitment to sustainability, US Green Building Council has issued an LEED Gold Certification to the headquarters of MPTC subsidiary MPT South in Imus, Cavite.
The 5,237-square meter building features natural daylight and ventilation, and consumes at least 40 percent less indoor water with the use of modern water-efficient fixtures and 50 percent less outdoor water through rainwater harvesting.
MPTC has also entered into a partnership with the United States Agency for International Development to further strengthen its sustainability effort in converting the CALAX into a “green highway.”
Aside from building more toll roads and expanding its portfolio of digitally driven solutions, next on MPTC’s sights is an initial public offering eyed in the next two to three years, which will usher in a new era of growth for the company.