TO RELIEVE CAVITEX OF GRIDLOCK

The construction of the Southwest Integrated Transport System (ITS) – seen to decongest traffic along the Cavite Expressway – is on track to start in the fourth quarter of 2016, private proponent Megawide Construction Corp. said Monday.

During the company’s annual stockholders’ meeting, Megawide Chairman Michael Cosiquien said the P2.5-billion public-private partnership (PPP) project was still slated to be completed by 2018.

“We welcome this opportunity to be part of the solution to the ever-growing issue of traffic in Metro Manila, by contributing our expertise in engineering and infrastructure building,” he said.

Megawide, with WM Property Management Inc., bagged the project through the MWM Terminals consortium. The contract was signed on April 24.

According to the PPP Center, the ITS project will connect passengers coming from Cavite province to other transport systems such, as the proposed LRT Line 1 South Extension, as well as city buses, taxis, and other public utility vehicles that serve inner Metro Manila.

“The project will include passenger terminal buildings, arrival and departure bays, public information systems, ticketing and baggage handling facilities, and park-ride facilities,” it said.

Under a 35-year cooperation period, MWM Terminals will design, construct, and finance the terminal, as well as operate and maintain the whole facility.

It may also undertake commercial development and collect revenues generated from the development.

Cosiquien also Megawide stockholders the construction of the Terminal 2 of the Mactan-Cebu International Airport (MCIA) – which it took over in November 2014 – is currently proceeding on schedule.

“MCIA is expected to redefine the aviation industry in the country and provide a positive perception on Philippine airports in the global market,” he said. — Jon Viktor Cabuenas/VDS, GMA News