Delay won't affect Subic-Clark road project: official
CITY OF SAN FERNANDO -- Despite the reported 6.7-percent delay in the construction of the Subic-Clark-Tarlac Expressway (SCTEx) project, Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA) officials assured that the project will be completed on time and within budget and specifications.
BCDA president Narciso Abaya made the assurance following their trip to Japan where they met with Japanese contractors commissioned to construct the 93.7-kilometer toll road.
"We are certain that the project will be completed within the target day of completion; within the budget; and within international standards and specifications," Abaya said.
He explained that the 6.7-percent slippage is equivalent to one-month work in the project.
He said that as of the current foreign exchange rate, the project's total coast of P21 billion remains the same.
Now about 53-percent complete, SCTEx is expected to be operational by November 2007. The average accomplishment for the road works is at 41 percent; interchanges at 28 percent; and underpasses, 70 percent.
Abaya said of the 49 underpasses, 27 have already been completed.
SCTEx will connect two of the country's most important economic zones in Central Luzon -- the Subic Bay Freeport (SBF) in Zambales and the Clark Special Economic Zone (CSEZ) in Pampanga -- the emerging economic hubs further north in Tarlac and up to La Union.
Project construction is divided into two packages, with Package 1 covering the 50.5-kilometer Subic-Clark section and Package 2 covering the 43.27-kilometer Clark-Tarlac section.
The expressway has 34 bridges that is being constructed, with an average accomplishment rate of 69 percent as of December 6, Abaya said.
Construction of the Sacobia-Bamban Bridge, the longest span along SCTEx at 1.16 kilometers, has posted a positive variance -- meaning its construction accomplishment is ahead of schedule.
Right-of-way
The BCDA also resumed in the settlement of right-of-way (ROW) issues, which was suspended following the proposed increase in the zonal values of lands in the country.
Due to increased zonal values of lands, payment of capital gains tax has also increased, pulling the market price of lands by around 10 percent.
However, with the government shelving the increased zonal valuation, the BCDA could now move within the budget in addressing ROW concerns.
Abaya said the BCDA has already paid some P500 million for ROW alone.
Earlier, economist Bernardo Villegas described the swift pace of SCTEx construction including the right-of-way acquisition as a "miracle." He said SCTEx would open opportunities in just three to six months.
He added that SCTEx is the "main thing that would propel the region to growth."
Once SCTEx is operational, it would only take around 30 minutes to travel from Clark to Subic and vice versa, and 20 minutes from Clark to Tarlac and vice versa. It will be the country's longest toll way.
The highway is a flagship project of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo and is among the mega-projects intended to transform Central and Northern Luzon into a super region. It expected to serve as the new economic backbone for the region and the adjoining regions that is expected to create wider opportunities for investment, trade and employment.
By Albert B. Lacanlale - SunStar
BCDA president Narciso Abaya made the assurance following their trip to Japan where they met with Japanese contractors commissioned to construct the 93.7-kilometer toll road.
"We are certain that the project will be completed within the target day of completion; within the budget; and within international standards and specifications," Abaya said.
He explained that the 6.7-percent slippage is equivalent to one-month work in the project.
He said that as of the current foreign exchange rate, the project's total coast of P21 billion remains the same.
Now about 53-percent complete, SCTEx is expected to be operational by November 2007. The average accomplishment for the road works is at 41 percent; interchanges at 28 percent; and underpasses, 70 percent.
Abaya said of the 49 underpasses, 27 have already been completed.
SCTEx will connect two of the country's most important economic zones in Central Luzon -- the Subic Bay Freeport (SBF) in Zambales and the Clark Special Economic Zone (CSEZ) in Pampanga -- the emerging economic hubs further north in Tarlac and up to La Union.
Project construction is divided into two packages, with Package 1 covering the 50.5-kilometer Subic-Clark section and Package 2 covering the 43.27-kilometer Clark-Tarlac section.
The expressway has 34 bridges that is being constructed, with an average accomplishment rate of 69 percent as of December 6, Abaya said.
Construction of the Sacobia-Bamban Bridge, the longest span along SCTEx at 1.16 kilometers, has posted a positive variance -- meaning its construction accomplishment is ahead of schedule.
Right-of-way
The BCDA also resumed in the settlement of right-of-way (ROW) issues, which was suspended following the proposed increase in the zonal values of lands in the country.
Due to increased zonal values of lands, payment of capital gains tax has also increased, pulling the market price of lands by around 10 percent.
However, with the government shelving the increased zonal valuation, the BCDA could now move within the budget in addressing ROW concerns.
Abaya said the BCDA has already paid some P500 million for ROW alone.
Earlier, economist Bernardo Villegas described the swift pace of SCTEx construction including the right-of-way acquisition as a "miracle." He said SCTEx would open opportunities in just three to six months.
He added that SCTEx is the "main thing that would propel the region to growth."
Once SCTEx is operational, it would only take around 30 minutes to travel from Clark to Subic and vice versa, and 20 minutes from Clark to Tarlac and vice versa. It will be the country's longest toll way.
The highway is a flagship project of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo and is among the mega-projects intended to transform Central and Northern Luzon into a super region. It expected to serve as the new economic backbone for the region and the adjoining regions that is expected to create wider opportunities for investment, trade and employment.
By Albert B. Lacanlale - SunStar
posted by OlongapoCity Zambales at
3:38 AM
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