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Construction of the Cavite-Batangas government gets green light from the Cavite gov’t

San Miguel Corporation and the Cavite government sealed a joint venture deal for a P27 billion expressway linking the provinces of Cavite and Batangas.

Jerome Tresvalles on Mar 10, 2023

San Miguel Corporation and the Cavite government have finalized a joint venture to construct the CBEX or Cavite-Batangas expressway linking Silang, Cavite, and Nasugbu, Batangas. The entire expressway project will cost P27 billion and is predicted to open by 2026.

The Ramon Ang-led conglomerate said in a stock exchange filing last Tuesday that involved groups signed the tollway concession agreement for the CBEX last month, February 7, 2023. The concession agreement awarded to SMC includes the construction and operation of the expressway for a span of 35 years.

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The expressway, which covers a total distance of 27 km, will pass through the municipalities of Silang, Amadeo, Tagaytay, Indang, Mendez, and Alfonso in Cavite and end near Nasugbu, Batangas, according to SMC. It also added that the CBEX will “enhance the mobility of people and goods in the area,” as well as, “mitigate road congestion in Calabarzon.”

Cavite governor Jonvic Remulla says that right-of-way clearing operations will start by June as they aim to have the expressway up and running in two and a half years' time. The politician also added that 40,000 motorists are estimated to utilize the CBEx daily during its first three years of operation.

Don’t be confused however with the similar but larger 50.43 km Cavite-Tagaytay-Batangas expressway (CTBEX) as the CTBEX was a project proposed by the Manuel V. Pangilinan-led Metro Pacific Tollways Corp. (MPTC) back in 2018. Last year, the MPTC has said that while the CTBEX will overlap with the CBEX project, it would not give up on the expressway project. Furthermore, the MPTC said that it would also not be participating in the Swiss Challenge ordered by the Cavite government.

In addition to the CBEX roadway, SMC also proposed to build the Pasig River Expressway (PAREX). The PAREX will line the banks of the Pasig river and connect the cities of Manila, Mandaluyong, Makati, Pasig, Taguig, and the municipality of Taytay.