When everything was at a standstill, San Miguel Corporation (SMC) pushed through and built the country's game-changing infrastructure, Skyway Stage 3, one of the largest and most ambitious infrastructure projects to date that provides a seamless link between North and South Luzon and eases Metro Manila traffic.
Skyway Stage 3 elevated accessibility of goods and services during a tumultuous time in the Philippine economy as it grappled with the effects of the pandemic.
The 18-kilometer elevated expressway extending Skyway 1 and 2 from Buendia all the way to the North Luzon Expressway provided hope to millions of Filipinos under the collaborative leadership of President Rodrigo Roa Duterte and SMC President Ramon Ang by spurring the economic recovery in the country.
On Jan. 14, 2021, Duterte and his economic team led the formal opening of the new Skyway Stage 3 expressway, which was built and funded by SMC. It is seen to provide a major boost to the country’s post-pandemic recovery.
“Because of the strong leadership of President Duterte, and with the help of his hands-on cabinet secretaries and economic team, we were able to finally resolve right-of-way issues and complete Skyway 3,” Ang said. “This is a game-changer for our economy, especially now that we are still dealing with the pandemic. By providing seamless access between north and south, we also unlock the true potential of our provinces,” Ang added.
Skyway Stage 3 has eight access points that traverse and connect Metro Manila’s most populous cities—Makati, Manila, San Juan and Quezon City. It will cut travel time from South Luzon Expressway at Susana Heights in Muntinlupa to Balintawak toll plaza of the Northern Luzon Expressway to just 30 minutes.
Since its soft opening on Dec. 29, 2020—free to the public until Feb. 1—some 71,000 vehicles per day have been passing through Skyway 3, using only the four lanes initially opened.
“At full capacity, with seven lanes available, Skyway can easily handle 50 percent of Edsa traffic, or 200,000 vehicles per day. Together with the existing Skyway 1 and 2, the Skyway system now has 38 kilometers of elevated expressway with 36 on- and off-ramp access points. This will greatly contribute to decongesting Metro Manila traffic,” Ang said.
To fast-track construction, SMC purchased all the properties along the project’s right-of-way, in order to meet the owners’ requirements. The company also funded the reconstruction of three bridges—the San Juan Bridge, Concordia Bridge and Sevilla Bridge.
Meanwhile, Ang said work has also started for the construction of the Manila International Airport project in Bulacan province, a sustainable solution to decongesting air traffic congestion in the country.
Touted as the single-largest investment in the Philippines, the airport project will connect to major thoroughfares in the metropolis. It will have four-parallel runways and modern, world-class facilities.
Ang set the opening date of the massive airport project for 2025. Two major expressways connecting to the airport will also open by 2023.