THE Metro Pacific Tollways Corporation (MPTC) disclosed three key appointments in its major business units in a continuing program to “strengthen and integrate the increasingly complex business of constructing and managing expressways” in the Philippines and other member countries in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean), according to MPTC president and CEO Rodrigo Franco.
Franco prefaced his announcement that the MPTC business continues to grow. “We are simultaneously working on several multi-billion-peso projects in various locations, and even extended our investments to three neighboring Asean countries. While we face numerous challenges, we look forward to the future with a healthy dose of optimism.”
MPTC announced that J. Luigi Bautista was appointed president and general manager of NLEX Corporation that currently oversees three concessions towards the northern part of Luzon, the North Luzon Expressway (NLEx), the Subic-Clark-Tarlac Expressway (SCTEx) and the NLEx Connector Road.
Also appointed was Roberto Bontia president and general manager of MPT South Corporation and its two main expressway companies towards the south -- Cavitex Infrastructure Corp. (CIC) and MPCala Holdings Corp. Bontia will lead the company that oversees the two southern concessions — CAVITEx and the Cavite-Laguna Expressway (CALAEx).
Raul Ignacio was named chief operating officer (COO) of NLEx Corporation.
Bautista, who earlier headed the concession companies south of Manila for six years was credited by Franco for the business unit’s growth in revenue and pipeline projects – citing Bautista’s “strong leadership”. Before that, Bautista was with NLEx Corporation for 15 years holding several senior executive positions. His last post at the NLEx was as Senior Vice President of Program Management, until he was assigned as President of Cavitex Infrastructure Corp. in January 2013.
Bontia, who replaces Bautista in the southern concession companies, held several senior management roles in the tollways group. He handled the groupwide Operations and Technology team in the business units and concurrently is President and CEO of Tollways Management Corporation.
Ignacio currently heads NLEx Corporation’s Tollway Development and Engineering (TDE) division and is responsible for establishing and aligning the group’s standards on project management. In his capacity as NLEX Corporation COO, Ignacio will cover the Operations and Technology functions.
Franco explained that MPTC’s “management depth is invaluable as the group continues to streamline and integrate all our businesses.” He cited the group’s expansion program, characterized by magnitude and complexity of operations, which thus required building a business structure in terms of geographic coverage.
While MPTC pursues expansion activities, there is a need to strengthen the management of our business units that directly oversee the activities of our various expressways – which explains the recent key appointments.