Press Release
October 19, 2007

EXPEDITE SLEx REHAB- REVILLA

Senator Ramon "Bong" Revilla Jr. today urged the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) to expedite the rehabilitation of the Southern Luzon Expressway (SLEx) to minimize the inconvenience of motorists.

This was the call of the senator in response to mounting complaints from motorists on the heavy traffic jams being experienced at the SLEx due to various construction works in the expressway.

According to Revilla, the DPWH should see to it that traffic in the 30-kilometer SLEx will be properly managed to arrest traffic jams lasting for over three hours during afternoons and evenings.

"It's a burden to motorists who regularly use the SLEx to bear the three-hour travel over the past few months from just an hour last year. Valuable time is being wasted here," said Revilla, chairman of the Senate Committee on Public Works.

Based on news reports, the travel period at the SLEx has drastically slowed as construction of the Alabang viaduct proceeded at a snail pace amid the lack of funding for the project.

It was also reported that the PNCC, operator of the SLEx said that the poor traffic management is a result of the construction delays being encountered by the Malaysian firm MTD Capital, which leads the consortium rebuilding the highway.

The 25-year PNCC franchise expired last April 30.

Revilla said that the DPWH must also look into the said reports to determine if there are liabilities from PNCC and its partner.

He warned that traffic jam in the SLEx will aggravate if the construction delays continue, especially that works on the extension of the Skyway have also commenced.

"The DPWH must anticipate worst traffic scenarios in the SLEx in preparation of the coming All Saint's Day and Christmas season," the lawmaker added.

Last July 30, President Arroyo issued Executive Order (EO) No. 644, directing the DPWH to take over traffic management on the expressway. The order also transferred the supervision of the TRB from the Department of Transportation and Communications (DOTC) to the DPWH.

The TRB is in-charge of the actual supervision and operation of all toll facilities in the country.

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