MVP Open to Waiving NLEX Connector Toll

Inspired by his fellow tycoon Ramon Ang's effort, Metro Pacific Tollways Corp. (MPTC) chairman Manuel V. Pangilinan is willing to lift the toll in the North Luzon Expressway (NLEX) Connector once the two-year EDSA rebuild starts on June 13.

- By Elijah Felice Rosales

Pangilinan said San Miguel Corp. (SMC) took the private sector's lead in mitigating the traffic impact of rebuilding EDSA by announcing a toll holiday on Skyway Stage 3.

"I think San Miguel has taken the lead there. It was a good lead that they have done, and I think we should follow their example, to help out in the traffic situation I guess for the next two years or so," he said.

"We also have a connector, so maybe we should do the same thing. I have to talk to our tollways to follow San Miguel's lead," he added.

The NLEX Connector, managed by MPTC unit NLEX Corp., spans eight kilometers between C3 Road in Caloocan City and Magsaysay Avenue in Sta. Mesa, Manila, mirroring the right of way of the Philippine National Railways.

The connector stretches NLEX further down to the south, offering vehicles, including trucks, an alternative when traveling the cities of Manila, Caloocan, Malabon, Navotas and Valenzuela.

Meanwhile, Skyway Stage 3, which spans between Buendia in Makati City and Balintawak in Caloocan City, is listed as one of the alternate routes motorists can use when crossing between the north and south of Metro Manila. The free toll in Skyway Stage 3 is expected to reduce vehicle buildup in EDSA by at least 10 percent.