CALAX’ Emergency Response, Now Only a Button Away

The MPCALA HOLDINGS INC (MHI), a subsidiary of Metro Pacific Tollways Corporation (MPTC), has installed state-of-the-art emergency call box devices along Cavite-Laguna Expressway (CALAX) with multi-modal communication features.

The newly mounted Emergency Roadside Communication System (ERSC) call boxes enables communication between motorists and CALAX Traffic Operation Center. Using the call boxes, motorists can seek help with a press of a especially during emergencies. The call boxes have built-in loudspeaker, camera, and hearing aids, designed for the hearing impaired. The ERCS is part of an overall system that enables motorists to communicate with CALAX Operations using various channels.

“Para sa CALAX, mahalaga sa amin ang masiguro ang kaligtasan ng aming mga motorista. Sa tulong ng mga bagong emergency call boxes, mapapaikli ang emergency response time ng aming CALAX Traffic Operations Center ng walo hanggang sampung minuto. Itong ERCS ay isang parte lamang ng aming pangkabuuang sistema upang patuloy na mabigyan ng maayos na serbisyo ang aming mga motorista. Sa kalaunan ay maaari na rin nilang magamit ang kanilang mobile phones para sa kanilang mga road concerns. Makatutulong ito sa pagmonitor ng kaligtasan ng aming mga motorista sa tuwing babaybay ng expressway.” said Mr. Roberto V. Bontia, President and General Manager of Metro Pacific Tollways South (MPT South).

The ERCS emergency call boxes are strategically positioned at the following locations along CALAX:

CAVITE BOUND

1. Emergency shoulder before Laguna Blvd. Exit; and

2. Near lay-by area before Laguna Technopark Interchange

LAGUNA BOUND

3. Emergency shoulder after Laguna Blvd. Interchange; and

4. Near lay-by area after Laguna Technopark Interchange

Prioritizing road safety of its motorists, CALAX is also regularly maintaining its Road Lighting System (RLS) with 550 LED road lights installed along the first 7.2-kilometer segment of the expressway to guarantee good visibility for motorists at night. These lights are capable of lasting for more than ten (10) years and have a more energy-efficient luminaire.

It also required lower maintenance, thanks to its excellent thermal management, robust electric surge protection, and water and dustproof sealed optics with IP 66 rating. Aside from these efforts, CALAX continues to improve its systems and processes to monitor and ensure the safety of its entire alignment in time for its completion.

This 4-lane expressway will soon connect the Manila-Cavite Expressway (Cavitex) in Kawit, Cavite to the South Luzon Expressway (SLEX) at Greenfield (Mamplasan) Interchange in Biñan, Laguna. CALAX will span 45-kilometers with eight (8) interchanges at the following locations: Kawit, Governor’s Drive, Open Canal, Silang (Aguinaldo) Highway, Silang East, Santa Rosa-Tagaytay, Laguna Boulevard, and Laguna Technopark. It will serve about 45,000 vehicles while cutting travel time between Cavite and Laguna from 2 hours to under an hour. MPTC holds the concession rights for the CALAX, Cavitex, C-5 Link Expressway, North Luzon Expressway (NLEX), NLEX Connector Road, Subic-Clark-Tarlac Expressway (SCTEX), and Cebu-Cordova Link Expressway (CCLEX) in Cebu.