SMC signs deal with Batangas gov’t for Nasugbu-Bauan Expressway project

MANILA: The P44.77-billion Nasugbu-Bauan Expressway (NBEX) project, which will provide a faster connection between the eastern and western parts of Batangas, is being carried out by San Miguel Corporation (SMC).

SMC Infrastructure was recently awarded a 35-year concession by the provincial government of Batangas to plan, develop, operate, and maintain a four-lane, 61-kilometer toll road. SMC President and Chief Executive Officer Ramon Ang described NBEX as “a project that will further unlock the economic potential of Batangas.”

The joint venture agreement for the project was signed by SMC Infrastructure and the provincial government of Batangas yesterday, March 22, during a ceremony at the Balayan Government Center where Ang was also formally recognized as an adopted son of Batangas.

“This project will drive a lot of development for our province and for our towns here in the first district. Higit sa lahat, mas marami itong maibibigay na tulong at serbisyo sa ating mga mamamayan. Tunay pong partner in development ang San Miguel hindi lamang po sa Batangas, kundi sa buong Pilipinas (Above all, it can provide more help and services to our citizens. San Miguel is a true partner in development not only in Batangas, but in the entire Philippines),” Batangas Governor Hermilando Mandanas stated.

“Batangas province has always been very close to my heart. It is home to many of our facilities. It has always been a valuable and reliable partner of San Miguel and as such, it is vital to our efforts to support our national economy and uplift the lives of many Filipinos through regional development,” Ang said. “I’m glad that our company will have another opportunity to further strengthen our collaboration with Batangas, through the NBEX, and ensure that its benefits are shared broadly. We have committed to deliver 70% of the project’s profits to the local government, once it's operational, to be used to provide vital services for our kababayans in the province. This will be key to furthering the growth of the province and improving lives and livelihood.”

According to Ang, the NBEX is a significant infrastructure project in Southern Luzon. Travel across towns in Batangas will be made easier, especially in the first district. Once completed , it will improve accessibility to the municipalities of Nasugbu, Balayan, Lemery, and Bauan, and the City of Calaca. It will be easier, faster, and more efficient to transport people and products, which will help reduce cost of business and boost economic activity.

The 61-kilometer road is anticipated to reduce travel time between the municipalities of Nasugbu and Bauan from 1.5 hours to just 45 minutes, according to Ang, who presented an overview of the project at the agreement signing. The NBEX is also expected to cut the travel time to and from Manila from five hours to just two hours.

The NBEX, which starts at Barangay Kaylaway in Nasugbu, runs parallel to Tagaytay-Nasugbu and Palico-Balayan highways. Its endpoint in Barangay Kaylaway connects it to the Cavite-Batangas Expressway (CBEX), another SMC Infrastructure project that leads to Tagaytay City and Silang, Cavite.

The project is divided into four sections: Section 1, a 10.78-kilometer segment from Barangay Kaylaway to Barangay Banilad in Nasugbu; Section 2, a 13.03-kilometer segment from Barangay Banilad to Balayan; Section 3, a 16.3-kilometer segment from Balayan to Lemery; and Section 4, a 20.79-kilometer segment from Lemery to Bauan.

In his remarks, Ang expressed optimism that, with the support of the provincial government of Batangas headed by Governor Mandanas, the project can be completed on schedule.

“NBEX is an exciting opportunity for us to come together once again and work towards our common goal of building a better future for our beloved Batangueños. We look forward to working with Governor Mandanas and the rest of the province’s leaders and stakeholders to make this a reality,” Ang said.

The project's target duration, which includes the 12-month development of the detailed engineering design, is 48 months.

Aside from NBEX and CBEX, SMC Infrastructure also owns the concessions for Tarlac-Pangasinan-La Union Expressway (TPLEX), Skyway, South Luzon Expressway (SLEX), and Southern Tagalog Arterial Road (STAR) Tollway.

Photos from San Miguel Corporation

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