Source: Business World, 03 April 2012
THE FIRST public-private partnership (PPP) project awarded by the government, the P1.96-billion Daang Hari-South Luzon Expressway (SLEx) link, could be operational late next year after the Public Works department yesterday signed a contract with winning bidder Ayala Corp.
“We will need about four months to finalize the detailed design. After that, government will have another two months for right of way acquisition,” Ayala Corp. Managing Director John Eric T. Francia told BusinessWorld.
“We are allotting 12 months for the construction phase.”
Signing the contract were Public Works Secretary Rogelio L. Singson and Jaime Augusto Zobel de Ayala, Ayala Corp. chairman and CEO.
The build-transfer-operate agreement involves the construction of a four-kilometer, four-lane toll road.
PPP Center Executive Director Cosette V. Canilao, who was present at the contract signing, said the project would reduce travel time from Daang Hari to the SLEx to about 10 minutes. “Right now it would take you almost an hour if you travel via the Alabang-Zapote Road,” she said.
Ms. Canilao also assured that low opening toll rates were stipulated in the contract.
Ayala Corp. has said it would implement rates of P17 for Class 1 vehicles (jeepneys, pick-ups, vans and cars); P34 for Class 2 vehicles (light trucks and buses); and P51 for Class 3 vehicles (trailers and large trucks). — K. A. M. Patria.
