Tuesday, April 22, 2008 P1B earmarked for new SCTEx interchanges By Chris T. Navarro
MABALACAT - The construction of the P417 million Clark South Interchange will start this month to directly link the Diosdado Macapagal International Airport (DMIA) and the Clark Freeport Zone to the P27.7 billion Subic-Clark-Tarlac Expressway (SCTEx).
At least P1 billion will be poured into the construction of the new interchanges along SCTEx that include a new one in Floridablanca, one in Porac, and two in Clark, near Mabalacat.
"This is a welcome development in the area because it will maximize development of DMIA, the Clark Freeport Zone and the nearby communities like Mabalacat town," said Mabalacat Mayor Marino "Boking" Morales.
Morales said there are two interchanges linking Mabalacat town to SCTEx -- the Dolores Interchange and the Mabiga Interchange.
The Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA) is planning to build two interchanges within Clark -- the Clark South Interchange which will connect to Clark's Mitchell Highway and the Panday Pira Interchange which will lead to Expo Filipino.
Morales said with the construction of the Clark South Interchange and the Panday Pira Interchange, Mabalacat town will have three entry points to the Clark Freeport Zone.
"We hope for more progressive Mabalacat," said Morales, who together with Pampanga local officials led by Representative Carmelo Lazatin and Secretary Edgardo Pamintuan welcomed President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo during her Monday's short visit to SCTEX.
Morales said with SCTEx, "Clark will be an investment haven."
"Because of her strong leadership (President Arroyo), we believe that her vision for the Philippines being a first world country by 2020, will be realized," said the mayor.
The proposed Clark South Interchange, which will have two toll plazas, will be built at a cost of P416,939,116.55 and is expected to be finished by January next year.
"We are happy that PGMA (President Arroyo) exerted political will to have this (interchanges) funded immediately because it is a vital element in linking the two ports," said former Clark Investors and Locators Association (Cila) president Frankie Villanueva.
SCTEx is expected to play an important role in the development of the mega-logistics and services hub in the Subic-Clark Corridor, with Subic as site of a deep-sea port and Clark as site of an international airport.
President Arroyo had envisioned the development of a logistics and services hub in the corridor in a bid to have a seamless flow of goods in and out of the country.
