SMC Says Pasig River Expressway Project Will Generate Up to 200,000 Jobs
The Department of Transportation (DOTr) and the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) has formalized its partnership with San Miguel Corp. (SMC) for the construction of the P81.53-billion Pasig River Expressway (Parex) on Tuesday (September 21.
SMC signed a supplemental toll operations agreement with the two government agencies that gives the conglomerate a 30-year franchise to build and operate the Parex along the Pasig River. SMC expects to finish the project in three years.
PAREX is envisioned to be a 19.4-kilometer six-lane elevated expressway along the banks of the Pasig River that will connect Radial Road 10 (R10) in Manila, EDSA, and C5. It is planned to end at a connection to the Southeast Metro Manila Expressway at C6. It is seen to reduce travel time from Manila to Rizal to just 15 minutes.
Entry and exit points are planned at the University Belt area in Manila, San Juan, Buendia, Mandaluyong, Makati, Rockwell, Edsa, Pioneer St., Bonifacio Global City, C5, before terminating at C6.
The project requires the Pasig River bed to be dredged and cleared of decades of debris and garbage, to attain its optimum depth and ensure the constant flow of water.
“We have seen the miracle of road connection that was done by linking the north and south through Skyway 3,” DOTr Secretary Arthur P. Tugade said. “It is our ambition to also connect the east and west corridors of Metro Manila. Parex will not only benefit motorists, but it will also spill over to the economy as it will reduce congestion and increase productivity.”
“In total Parex will generate 50,000 direct jobs and…about 200,000 jobs if you add the indirect jobs that will be created because of the project,” SMC President Ramon Ang said. He added that the project will employ “green design principles” for both construction and operations and will also have provisions for fiber deployment.
In response to calls for expressways to be more inclusive, SMC said Parex will incorporate a bus rapid transit, as well as dedicated bikelanes and walkways.
SMC opened the P44.86 billion Skyway 3 project in January. It is also busy with construction of the P736 billion New Manila International Airport in Bulacan.
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