SMC gets Nasugbu-Bauan Expressway project

The San Miguel Corporation (SMC) is set to undertake the P44.77-billion Nasugbu-Bauan Expressway (NBEX) project.

The company said that its infrastructure arm, SMC Infrastructure, has been granted a 35-year concession to design, build, operate, and maintain the four-lane, 61-kilometer toll road that is aimed to provide a faster route between the eastern and western portions of Batangas province.

SMC and the provincial government of Batangas signed the agreement today. The event also served as the occasion wherein Ang was named an adopted son of the province.

“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 (Aside from that, it can provide more help and services to our citizens. San Miguel is indeed a true partner in development not only in Batangas, but in the entire Philippines),” Batangas Governor Hermilando Mandanas said.

For his part, Ang said that Batangas province has always been very close to his heart as many of its facilities can be found in the province. “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,” he mentioned.

 “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," the company’s chief executive said.  

"We have committed to deliver 70 percent 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.” 

Ang considered the NBEX as a vital infrastructure initiative in Southern Luzon. Per the company leader, the aforementioned expressway will improve travel across towns throughout Batangas, particularly the first district. It is expected to travel time between Nasugbu to Bauan, Batangas from 1.5 hours to just 45 minutes. In addition, the usual five-hour trip to and from Manila will be reduced to two hours.

Starting at Barangay Kaylaway, Nasugbu town and runs parallel to Tagaytay-Nasugbu as well as Palico-Balayan highways, the NBEX will make Nasugbu, Balayan, Lemery, Bauan, the City of Calaca, and other municipalities, more accessible.

Further, the NBEX at Barangay Kaylaway connects the expressway to Cavite-Batangas Expressway (CBEX), which is another SMC Infrastructure project. The aforementioned road leads to Tagaytay City and Silang, Cavite.

Moreover, the project is made up of four sections: Section 1 is a 10.78-km segment that stretches from Barangay Kaylaway to Barangay Banilad in Nasugbu town; Section 2 is a 13.03-km segment from Barangay Banilad to Balayan town; Section 3 is a 16.3-km segment from Balayan to Lemery, and Section 4 is a 20.79-km segment from Lemery to Bauan.

And said that the target for the project's substantial completion is at 48 months, including the 12-month development of the detailed engineering design. He is optimistic that the project can be delivered on schedule given the support of the provincial government. “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 Batanguenos. We look forward to working with Governor Mandanas and the rest of the province’s leaders and stakeholders to make this a reality,” he said.

The NBEX will be the latest addition to the growing infrastructure portfolio of SMC that includes the Tarlac-Pangasinan-La Union Expressway (TPLEX), the Skyway System that connects Balintawak to Makati through an elevated expressway; the South Luzon Expressway, and the Southern Tagalog Arterial Road ( STAR ) Tollway.

Photos from San Miguel Corporation

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