IT is obvious. There’s no stopping Ramon S. Ang (RSA) from pursuing his nation-building platform. Not even the pandemic. If only half of the nation’s billionaires can have RSA’s mindset, economic resurgence will never be utopia as it is now.
With the metropolis still euphoric over the recent opening of the RSA-authored Skyway from South to North and vice versa that drastically reduced the mammoth traffic jams bedeviling Edsa for years, another road network is being built by, who else, but RSA again.
It’s the Slex extension from Sto. Tomas, Batangas, to Lucena City in Quezon Province. Another state-of-the-art highway construed for completion in 2022, the 66.74-km highway will cut road travel time by almost two hours, opening up massive economic benefits for Bicol-bound commerce.
If truth be told, this gateway to Bicolandia all the way to the Visayas should have been completed years back if not for the usually troublesome right-of-way (ROW) issues, among others, bedeviling the project time and again.
The massive thoroughfare is a strategic road project that is seen to boost the southern Tagalog region’s business potential and significantly contribute to the country’s pandemic-recovery efforts.
“We are in the initial stages of construction for Slex-TR4, but despite the limitations of the pandemic and delays in ROW acquisitions, we’re moving forward and making good progress,” said RSA, the feisty San Miguel Corp. CEO/president.
“Next to the TPLEx [Tarlac-Pangasinan-La Union Expressway], Slex-TR4 is our longest expressway project by far,” said RSA. “We know from experience the inherent challenges of a project of this scale, so we are able to mitigate them and do the best we can.”
As usual, he is undaunted by ROW hitches.
“As with any project of this size, acquiring all the necessary rights-of-way is the primary challenge,” RSA said. “While we anticipated that it will take some time, it also doesn’t mean we don’t do anything. We are using the same strategy we utilized for our Skyway 3 project which is to concentrate work on all workable areas and then adjust as other areas become available.”
From SMC’s Jon Hernandez:
“Work on Slex-TR4, which started in 2019, is currently concentrated on the project’s Section B in Alaminos, Laguna, and Section C in Tiaong, Quezon, near the Hacienda Escudero area.
“At Section B, construction is focused on the project’s PNR underpass, Koquinkona bridge, and Maharlika underpass, all parallel to the Alaminos-Tiaong Bypass road. Pipe-laying for drainage as well as embankment works to level the road prior to laying of concrete, is also ongoing.
“Meanwhile, at Section C, work on the Tiaong, Quezon, interchange has also progressed well.
Construction of the Tiaong bridge, Tiaong underpass and Dolores bridge, as well as drainage and embankment works, are also underway.”
Said RSA: “We are confident that we will eventually overcome all these challenges, with the support of our government, LGUs and all stakeholders. We are committed to do our part and put all our energy and focus on getting this project done because it is vital to the growth of the Southern Tagalog region.”
He keeps repeating the importance of the project.
“Slex-TR4 will form part of our interconnected expressway network in the South, designed not just to ease transport of people and goods, but also to disperse economic growth and growth opportunities so it can reach and benefit our countrymen in our regions,” RSA said.
I can’t wait for it to be finished. I go to Calauag, Quezon, at least twice a year to recharge.
Toyota ‘at your service’
HERE is Nadinne Capistrano, Toyota’s sharp-shooting stringer of words, once again upon the urging of TMP vice president Tini Arevalo:
“Kaizen, a Japanese term that means continuous improvement, is a Toyota philosophy that is innate to its entire network. This philosophy in mind is what keeps Toyota ready to quickly adapt to the changes brought about by the different quarantine protocols and shifting customer needs and buying behavior amid the Covid-19 pandemic.
“Toyota Motor Philippines (TMP) is taking a two-pronged approach to provide Filipinos with fast, reliable service while prioritizing safety for both customers and staff.
“As more Filipinos embrace online in their daily activities and transactions, Toyota has been proactive in developing digital access and shopping tools. MyToyota.ph, the TMP and respective dealers’ websites, and TMP’s virtual showroom all help vehicle owners and buyers with their needs from the comfort of their homes.
“MyToyota.ph, launched in May last year, lets users conveniently set appointments, choose a dealer, select the service they need, and even make special requests for specific car needs.
“Toyota’s focus has always been making car ownership as affordable as possible. Well aware of the financial challenges brought about by the pandemic, interested car buyers can avail of services offered by Toyota Financial Services PH.”
PEE STOP About time we built vehicles/ambulances dedicated for Covid-19 patients. When the coronavirus is gone—within a year, perhaps?—disinfect them for normal ambulance services.
Read full article on BusinessMirror