The Silang, Cavite Local Government Unit (LGU) urged the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) to break the right-of-way (ROW) deadlock holding up a critical section of the Cavite Laguna Expressway (CALAX) for half a decade.
"Maybe we can get a compromise agreement (between CALAX operator MPCALA Holdings Inc. (MHI) and private landowners) before the end of the year," according to Silang Mayor Kevin Anarna.
Specifically, an undelivered ROW of about 450 meters of land, the property of a private corporation, has delayed the completion of the CALAX.
MHI is unable to make progress due to the ROW deadlock and cannot proceed to build the needed drainage and bridge, among other works.
In turn, the delay hampers the Silang LGU from developing the municipality's inner roads and going full-blast with its tourism initiatives, Anarna lamented.
"Because that vital portion of the CALAX is unfinished due to ROW concerns, our tourist attractions are not being developed and visited well," the mayor reiterated.
To date, only 64 percent of the CALAX Silang (Aguinaldo) Interchange subsection has been finished.
By 2025, Silang targets to become a city. But everything depends on the completion of the Calax.
"Right now, we are planning to set up a meeting with the owner of the land to discuss the ROW issues," said Anarna.
Already, MHI has moved the road's opening date several times. The most recent date was December, 2022 although the company conceded it is still "uncertain".
"Once the CALAX Silang (Aguinaldo) Interchange is completed, we can start the construction of inner roads so we will be accessible to local tourists and investors," Anarna underscored.
The LGU is hosting two international horticulture events in January and April, 2023. “We want to be known as the Botanical Garden of the Philippines," he revealed.
Again, this is hinged on the completion of the CALAX Silang (Aguinaldo) Interchange.
The section is the fifth of eight segments of the 45-kilometer (km) expressway.
It spans 3.9-km, with 2x2 lane expressway from Silang East Interchange to Aguinaldo Highway in Cavite.
The road is meant to reduce traffic and serve more motorists, including 298,000 Silangenos.
So far, the current daily traffic averages 33,000 from Mamplasan to Silang Ease interchange.
However, MHI expects traffic to increase to 40,000 when the Silang (Aguinaldo) Interchange finally opens.