MANILA, March 23 (PNA) — President Benigno S. Aquino III on Monday attended the briefing of the P13.1-billion Southern Luzon Expressway-Toll Road 4 (SLEX-TR4) extension project in Tiaong, Quezon Province.
The President was welcomed by Public Works and Highways Secretary Rogelio Singson, Agriculture Secretary Proceso Alcala, Congressman Vicente Alcala of Quezon Province’s Second District, Tiaong Mayor Ramon Preza, Toll Regulatory Board Executive Director Edmund Reyes, San Miguel Corporation (SMC) Chief Operating Officer and South Luzon Tollway Corporation (SLTC) Chairman Ramon Ang, and Citra Metro Manila Tollways Corporation President and Chief Executive Officer Shadik Wahono.
“Layunin nga po ng proyektong ito na pabilisin ang transportasyon at magbunsod ng kaunlaran hindi lamang sa Kamaynilaan kundi maging sa mga karatig nitong bayan,” President Aquino said in his speech.
The SLEX-TR4 is a 58-kilometer project that would link Sto. Tomas, Batangas all the way to Lucena, Quezon.
The four-lane project, which is mandated under Presidential Decree Nos. 1112 and 1894, is expected to cut the travel time between the two provinces to just one hour from the usual four hours.
“Patunay po ang pagtitipong ito sa kompiyansa ng pribadong sektor na magsulong ng inisyatiba tungo sa malawakang pag-unlad. Sa pangunguna ng South Luzon Tollway Corporation, at sa pangangasiwa ng Department of Transportation and Communications – Toll Regulatory Board, isusulong natin ang proyektong SLEX-TR4 na malaki ang pakinabang ng ating mga kababayan, “ the President added.
Local government officials have welcomed and expressed support for the project that is expected to boost trade, commerce and tourism in Regions 4 and 5.
The SLEX-TR4 is the latest project in SMC’s infrastructure portfolio, which already includes the Tarlac-Pangasinan-La Union Expressway, the elevated Skyway system and the Skyway Stage 3 project, the NAIA Expressway project, the existing SLEX, and the recently upgraded and expanded Southern Tagalog Arterial Road or STAR Tollway.
The SLEX-TR4 project is divided into five sections: Sto. Tomas, Batangas to Makban, Laguna (10.58 km); Makban to San Pablo, Laguna (12.2 km); San Pablo, Laguna to Tiaong, Quezon (8.1 km); Tiaong to Candelaria, Quezon (14.4 km); and Candelaria to Lucena City (12.31 km).
The SLTC said it is eyeing mid-2017 for the completion of the first section from Sto. Tomas to Makban, and 2019 for the completion of the entire project. (PNA)