In a significant move aimed at introducing new infrastructure to the public, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. announced the suspension of toll fee collection for all vehicles passing through the Manila-Cavite Toll Expressway (CAVITEX). This suspension will be effective for 30 days and applies to sections in Taguig, Parañaque, Las Piñas, Bacoor, and Kawit. The announcement was made during the inauguration of the CAVITEX C5 Link Sucat Interchange and the groundbreaking ceremony of President Marcos Suspends Toll Fee Collection on Manila-Cavite Toll Expressway C5 Link Segment 3B in Parañaque City on Friday, June 21.
“The Philippine Reclamation Authority (PRA), as the operator of CAVITEX, proposed to suspend toll fees for all types of vehicles passing through the Manila-Cavite Toll Expressway,” President Marcos said. “This initiative will help introduce our new roads and expressways to those in need of an improved transport system.”
The President emphasized that these flagship projects, undertaken through public-private partnerships (PPP), are the result of extensive planning and collaboration among the PRA, the CAVITEX Infrastructure Corp., and Metro Pacific Tollways Corp. He expressed his gratitude to the PRA for taking the initiative to ease the burden of rising fuel costs on motorists.
“We welcome this initiative and thank the PRA for its effort to help mitigate the impact of rising fuel costs on our motorists. I now count on our Toll Regulatory Board to ensure the immediate implementation of this suspension for the benefit of the riding and transport public,” Marcos stated.
The CAVITEX C5 Link Sucat Interchange is expected to significantly reduce travel time from CAVITEX R1 to Sucat in Parañaque City. What used to be a one-hour journey via existing public roads from Kawit, Cavite can now be completed in just five minutes. This development is anticipated to benefit approximately 23,000 vehicles regularly.
Additionally, the CAVITEX C5 Link Expressway Segment 3B, a two-kilometer road extending from the Sucat Interchange to E. Rodriguez in C5 Road, Taguig City, is projected to cut travel time from the CAVITEX R1 Expressway Section to SLEX/C5 Road from 40 minutes to a mere 10 minutes upon completion.
These infrastructure projects are part of the government’s broader strategy to improve transportation networks and promote economic growth. By making these new roads and expressways more accessible, the administration aims to alleviate traffic congestion, reduce travel times, and enhance the overall commuting experience for motorists in the affected areas. The temporary suspension of toll fees is expected to encourage more drivers to use the new routes, facilitating a smoother introduction of these crucial transport links.