Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, March 22) — San Miguel Corporation and the government of Batangas signed on Wednesday a joint venture agreement for the Nasugbu-Bauan Expressway (NBEX) project in a bid to speed up travel between the east and west of the province.
The provincial government earlier granted SMC Infrastructure a 35-year concession to design, build, operate, and maintain the four-lane, 61-kilometer toll road.
\”This project will drive a lot of development for our province and for our towns here in the first district.,\” said Governor Hermilando Mandanas.
“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,” he added.
[Translation: Most of all, it can provide more help and services to our citizens. San Miguel is truly a partner in development not only in Batangas, but throughout the Philippines.]
SMC President and CEO Ramon S. Ang said the project would \”further unlock the economic potential of Batangas,\” adding that the province has always been close to his heart being home to many of SMC facilities.
\”Batangas 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.
He added that once NBEX is operational, they commit to deliver 70% of NBEX’s profits to the local government so it could be used to provide vital services to residents.
\”This will be key to furthering the growth of the province and improving lives and livelihood,\” Ang said.
Once completed, NBEX will make Nasugbu, Balayan, Lemery, Bauan, the City of Calaca and other municipalities more accessible, while also providing ease of transport for goods — cutting down travel time by half between Nasugbu and Bauan from 1.5 hours to just 45 minutes.
It will also reduce the usual five-hour trip to and from Manila to only two hours.
