MANILA, Philippines — The NAIA Expressway (NAIAx) yesterday opened its new access ramp in Pasay, providing motorists with an alternative way of entering the toll road.

Ramon S. Ang, president and CEO of San Miguel Corp. (SMC), said the Tramo ramp gives travelers a new point of entry when going to the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) from EDSA.

Ang said motorists headed to or coming from the southern side of the metro like Parañaque and Cavite would also benefit from the opening of the new access ramp.

“This Tramo ramp provides another option for motorists heading to the airport and other areas in Parañaque City and Cavite province. We believe it can help relieve overall traffic congestion in the area, and improve traffic flow within the vicinity of the airport,” Ang said.

The ramp, which extends for 800 meters, is located closest to NAIA Terminals 1 and 2.

Public Works Secretary Manuel Bonoan said the structure is expected to minimize the traffic congestion in Tramo leading to the airport.

Bonoan also believes that the ramp would increase vehicular traffic in NAIAx, underscoring the importance of the expressway in facilitating airport traffic.

Bonoan, who used to head SMC’s tollway segment prior to government service, said it only took three years for NAIAx to surpass its capacity even though SMC projected it to take 15 years.

“The Tramo access ramp has been in San Miguel’s drawing board for a long, long time because they knew it would enhance the efficiency of the NAIA Expressway and improve the mobility of motorists going to the airport,” Bonoan added.

SMC plans to put up another ramp that leads to Terminal 3, the largest among the four terminals, to enhance traffic flow in the vicinity.

The conglomerate also wants to expand the lanes of NAIAx to six from five, to open up an extra space for future demand.

Last month, SMC won the concession to operate and maintain NAIA, and it is set to manage the airport for 15 years, extendable by 10 years depending on performance.

It has committed to invest at least P122.3 billion over a period of 25 years for the rehabilitation and upgrade of NAIA.

NAIAx serves as the only toll road to the country’s main gateway, running for 11 kilometers and providing motorists with access to Terminals 1, 2 and 3

It also connects to Entertainment City in Pasay City, Macapagal Boulevard in Parañaque and to the Manila-Cavite Expressway of the Metro Pacific Tollways Corp. — Michelle Zoleta