Metro Pacific Tollways South Management Corp. said it resumed the construction-related activities for its big-ticket projects south of Metro Manila.

“With the relaxing of the community quarantine, we need to get the projects back on track, most especially the BBB projects which aims to spur and sustain economic growth by constructing infrastructure projects badly needed by the country,” Public Works Secretary Mark Villar said.

“The guidelines set is to ensure the health and safety of everyone involved in the projects. Strict compliance is expected,” he said.
The construction of major infrastructure projects such as Cavite Expressway and Cavite-Laguna Expressway was suspended when the COVID-19 pandemic hit the country, causing the adjustments for construction protocols.

“The guidelines of DPWH are specific to help stem the disease. The contractors must follow new protocols at the jobsite which changes the preparation and mobilization time of the projects. These adjustments have an effect on the timeline. We also give great consideration on the renewed focus by the government on BBB projects; we want to accelerate completion of projects—subject to DPWH and the Department of Health guidelines,” said MPT South president and general manager Roberto Bontia.

MPT South resumed the road widening construction for CAVITEX R-1 second phase of bridge works in Parañaque, Las Piñas and Wawa which is now at 55-percent completion. Personnel and allied services were aso remobilized for the resumption of works in CALAX Subsections 4 and 5, and Cavite Segment.

Right-of-way acquisitions for Cavite Segment and Subsection 4 are ongoing. Subsection 5, the continuation from Santa Rosa to Silang, is at 96-percent ROW acquisition with siteworks at 57 percent.

Meanwhile, CAVITEX C5 Link Segment 3A2 and Segment 2 ROW acquisitions are at 81-percent progress. A letter of award was issued to the qualified bidder while details of project execution are in the works.

The company said around 1,600 employees went through the COVID-19 Rapid Anti-Body Diagnostic Testing.

Darwin G. Amojelar
June 2, 2020