Gov't told not to sacrifice Subic-Clark road's quality, integrity
A private group on Monday asked the government not to sacrifice the quality and integrity of Subic-Clark-Tarlac Expressway (SCTEx) for deadline following inspection it conducted on the project's Phases 1 and 2.
According to Renato Romero, chairman of the Advocacy for the Development of Central Luzon (ADCL), the inspection showed "it would be difficult for the contractors to finish the expressway on time."
"Although we are not engineers, it is our impression that the project could not be done until November. We read in the papers that President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo is giving the contractors until March next year only. We believe that the given time would not be enough. The project is far from complete. We may be sacrificing the quality of work that the contractors could provide if we will pressure them to beat their deadline," Romero explained.
He added that the Subic-Clark component of the expressway seems to be more "impressive" than the Clark-Tarlac portion.
"As I have said, we are not engineers but the Clark-Subic portion is more impressive. We saw the preparations and we can say that what they do is quality work. The National Government should at least give them consideration," he said.
Romero and other ADCL co-chairmen Renato Tayag and Sonny Dobles were also conveners in the Global Gateways project, a movement that aims to connect Subic Seaport and Clark Airport to facilitate economic growth in Central Luzon.
Romero, Tayag, and Dobles were among the few people who also lobbied for the approval of Subic-Clark-Tarlac Expressway with then Clark Development Corporation (CDC) president Rufo Colayco and other businessmen in Central Luzon.
Romero also reiterated the group's position on the management of toll fee collection at SCTEx once the project is finished.
He said they want a private firm to manage the operation of the new highway.
The ADCL earlier issued a statement following reports that bidding for the operation and management of SCTEx failed. The toll road is expected to be operational late this year or early 2008.
Although there were several private firms and conglomerates gunning for the 10-year operation of the highway, reports of failed bidding for the same surfaced, sending a chilling effect to various groups, including ADCL, that have seen how the former North Luzon Expressway (Nlex) deteriorated before being managed by a private firm.
Romero said ADCL is concerned that if SCTEx would be operational and its operation and management is not awarded to a winning bidder, the Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA), the lead proponent of the project, might be assigned to operate the tollway.
"If this would be the case, the toll road might not serve its purpose for a long time, given the way government handles such infrastructures. The Nlex is a clear example of how a private corporation can efficiently manage an infrastructure at no cost to the government," said Tayag.
The 93.77-kilometer SCTEx, reputedly the longest toll road in the country, is hoped to prime business in Luzon, particularly the Central Luzon plain where Pampanga is located. Once operational, travel time along SCTEx would take only about 30 minutes from Clark to Subic, and 20 minutes from Clark to Tarlac.
The SCTEx is a flagship project of the President and is among the mega infrastructures intended to transform Central and Northern Luzon into a super region. It was designed to serve as another catalyst for the economic growth of Central Luzon and the adjoining regions. This project is expected to create greater opportunities for investment, trade and employment.
By Albert B. Lacanlale - SunStar
According to Renato Romero, chairman of the Advocacy for the Development of Central Luzon (ADCL), the inspection showed "it would be difficult for the contractors to finish the expressway on time."
"Although we are not engineers, it is our impression that the project could not be done until November. We read in the papers that President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo is giving the contractors until March next year only. We believe that the given time would not be enough. The project is far from complete. We may be sacrificing the quality of work that the contractors could provide if we will pressure them to beat their deadline," Romero explained.
He added that the Subic-Clark component of the expressway seems to be more "impressive" than the Clark-Tarlac portion.
"As I have said, we are not engineers but the Clark-Subic portion is more impressive. We saw the preparations and we can say that what they do is quality work. The National Government should at least give them consideration," he said.
Romero and other ADCL co-chairmen Renato Tayag and Sonny Dobles were also conveners in the Global Gateways project, a movement that aims to connect Subic Seaport and Clark Airport to facilitate economic growth in Central Luzon.
Romero, Tayag, and Dobles were among the few people who also lobbied for the approval of Subic-Clark-Tarlac Expressway with then Clark Development Corporation (CDC) president Rufo Colayco and other businessmen in Central Luzon.
Romero also reiterated the group's position on the management of toll fee collection at SCTEx once the project is finished.
He said they want a private firm to manage the operation of the new highway.
The ADCL earlier issued a statement following reports that bidding for the operation and management of SCTEx failed. The toll road is expected to be operational late this year or early 2008.
Although there were several private firms and conglomerates gunning for the 10-year operation of the highway, reports of failed bidding for the same surfaced, sending a chilling effect to various groups, including ADCL, that have seen how the former North Luzon Expressway (Nlex) deteriorated before being managed by a private firm.
Romero said ADCL is concerned that if SCTEx would be operational and its operation and management is not awarded to a winning bidder, the Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA), the lead proponent of the project, might be assigned to operate the tollway.
"If this would be the case, the toll road might not serve its purpose for a long time, given the way government handles such infrastructures. The Nlex is a clear example of how a private corporation can efficiently manage an infrastructure at no cost to the government," said Tayag.
The 93.77-kilometer SCTEx, reputedly the longest toll road in the country, is hoped to prime business in Luzon, particularly the Central Luzon plain where Pampanga is located. Once operational, travel time along SCTEx would take only about 30 minutes from Clark to Subic, and 20 minutes from Clark to Tarlac.
The SCTEx is a flagship project of the President and is among the mega infrastructures intended to transform Central and Northern Luzon into a super region. It was designed to serve as another catalyst for the economic growth of Central Luzon and the adjoining regions. This project is expected to create greater opportunities for investment, trade and employment.
By Albert B. Lacanlale - SunStar
Labels: adcl, sctex, subic clark expressway
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