Metro Manila, Philippines – President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. led the opening of a new segment of the Cavitex C5 Link, which is expected to significantly reduce travel time between Parañaque and Taguig and ease fuel costs for motorists.
The segment is projected to cut travel time from up to one and a half hours to just around 15 minutes, while helping reduce fuel consumption as global oil prices remain elevated.
“Malaking bagay ito… yung biyahe na dati isang oras kalahati, magiging 15 minutes na lang. Napakalaking bagay niyan dahil sa savings sa oras ng komyuter,” Marcos said on Monday, March 30.
[Translation: This is a big thing… travel that used to take one and a half hours will now take just 15 minutes. That’s a huge savings in time for commuters.]
The president said the project will help decongest smaller roads and improve connectivity across southern Metro Manila, linking Taguig, Makati, Pasay, Parañaque, Las Piñas, as well as Cavite areas such as Bacoor and Kawit.
He said the shorter travel time will help alleviate high fuel costs.
“Napakalaking savings nito sa gasolina, sa krudo… malaking tulong ‘yan,” Marcos said.
[Translation: This will bring significant savings in gasoline and diesel… that’s a big help.]
He said the CAVITEX-C5 Expressway Segment 3B will be toll-free until the end of April as people travel for the Holy Week break and with the onset of summer.
“Very timely po ito sa crisis na nangyayari ngayon sa supply ng langis… malaking tulong po sa ating mga kababayan,” Transportation Secretary Giovanni Lopez said.
[Translation: This is very timely given the current oil supply situation… it will greatly help our people.]
Public Works Secretary Vince Dizon said more road projects will open ahead of Holy Week.
“Ang objective… magbukas ng as many new roads as possible… menos biyahe, menos konsumo, menos gastos,” Dizon said.
[Translation: The goal is to open as many new roads as possible… less travel, less fuel consumption, less expense.]
The 7.7-kilometer Cavitex C5 Link connects key routes including the R1 Expressway, Sucat Road, and C5, providing more direct access to the Ninoy Aquino International Airport and major business districts.
Authorities said the new segment is expected to serve around 36,000 motorists daily.
