TRB Officials Inspect CALAX Toll Operations

Mamplasan, Laguna - The MPCALA HOLDINGS INC (MHI), a subsidiary of Metro Pacific Tollways Corporation (MPTC) was lauded by the Toll Regulatory Board (TRB) for its remarkable safety and technological features during its inspection of the operational segments and upcoming section of Cavite-Laguna Expressway (CALAX).

(Photo Caption:TRB CALAX Inspection--From left, TRB  Chief of Regulation Division, Mr. Joz Carlos Ordillano,  MPCALA Project Manager Dan Ignacio, and TRB Executive Director Atty. Alvin Carullo.)

The inspection was led by TRB’s newly appointed Executive Director Atty. Alvin A. Carullo, together with TRB Chief of Regulation Division Mr. Joz Carlos G. Ordillano, TRB Communication Head and Spokesperson Mr. Julius Corpuz, and DOTr Representative for TRB BGen Melquiades V. Ordiales Jr, together with the TRB audit and inspectorate team.

As part of the inspection, TRB checked the overall toll operations of CALAX’s operational segment which spans from Mamplasan, Binan to Santa Rosa-Tagaytay Road. They inspected not only toll plazas but also the safety and security features in place, such as the newly installed emergency call boxes, that motorists can use to immediately call for roadside assistance.

MPCALA team also showed TRB how it maximized the use of technology through its barrierless entry coupled with Automatic License Plate Recognition (ALPR) system and RFID lanes, to give its motorists a smooth and convenient driving experience.

“Okay yung toll collection system ng CALAX. So far, isa na ito siguro sa mga pinaka-advanced na toll collection system na na-inspect namin. Ito siguro ay magiging model for toll collection systems in the Philippines.” said TRB Executive Director Atty. Alvin A. Carullo.

The Toll Regulatory Board also checked the progress and readiness of the Subsection 5 toll plaza to serve motorists for its upcoming opening this 3rd quarter of 2021. Seen during the site inspection are the already-built toll plaza structures for the Silang East Interchange. TRB was briefed on-site on the developments of its upcoming toll collection system.

“As to the new segment in CALAX, hopefully we can open it na para sa kaginhawaan ng ating mga motorista. May mga gawain pa, pero sa pagtutulungan ng CALAX Management at DPWH, with the assistance ng TRB, I am sure ma-oopen natin ang segment na ito within its timeline”, added Executive Director Atty. Carullo.

On a separate interview, MPCALA President and General Manager, Robert V. Bontia stated that they are currently in collaboration with TRB to make their toll roads more efficient, safer, and convenient for motorists.

"We welcome the new chief of the Toll Regulatory Board Executive Director Atty. Alvin Carullo and wish him all the best. We are optimistic that as our regulator, win-win initiatives and new regulations for both operators and motorists will be reached”, added Bontia.

CALAX is a 4-lane expressway that will soon connect the Manila-Cavite Expressway (Cavitex) in Kawit, Cavite to the South Luzon Expressway (SLEX) at Greenfield (Mamplasan) Interchange in Biñan, Laguna Upon completion, CALAX will span 45-kilometers and has 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.