NLEx and SCTEx: A study in contrasts

As a resident of Pangasinan, I usually take the NLEx-SCTEx combo, whereby I take advantage of the speedier route provided by the two expressways. Travel time has been cut by at least an hour, providing a senior citizen like me a more enjoyable public bus ride. 

Lately though, there has been something amiss in my bus rides. The less stressful ride, especially from the NLEx portion, has given way to, at times, some bumpy stretches in the SCTEx portion, and from the looks of it, a bumpier route in that newly constructed 94-kilometer toll road may be expected soon, unless remedial steps are put in place.

I kid thee not. Googling “SCTEx repair” reveals several Web entries showing that the SCTEx management has been awarded to the operator of the NLEx. That is what I have been trained to do as a journalist. In the face of what I perceived as something in a state of disrepair, I immediately repaired to my journalistic instincts and tried to have a perspective on what I saw as something amiss.

There was one entry there, though, that caught my eye: a press release from the office of Senate President Franklin Drilon that glowingly talked of the huge beneficial effects of a seamless travel from NLEx to SCTEx.

That entry was made early last February, but it seemed that the NLEx management has yet to take over the operating management of SCTEx. It is no wonder, then, that the ride has become bumpier for me, while a look outside the bus window on the pavement below would show that it is in a worsening state of disrepair.

I understand that the SCTEx concessionaire, the Bases Conversion and Development Authority, through Arnel Casanova, has already signed a business operating agreement with the Manila North Tollways Corp. (MNTC), the operator of NLEx. But after the ink dried, nothing came out of it.

This is the trouble oftentimes when no follow-up is done on what could be termed as great journeys together between the government and the private sector.

I had great expectations when buses zip through the two toll roads on their way to the north. The same is true of Drilon when the partnership agreement between the toll roads were inked. However, the waiting has become unbearable due to the interminable delays, and for a senior resident like me who enjoys public transport, it is time for the government to act faster.

The time is now, for it would mean a real seamless travel along the two toll roads, as even the need to pass through four toll stations would be reduced to two, the repair work on the pavements could be done immediately, signaling would be more efficient and even the Pasig-Potrero bridge would be repaired for good.

On this note, I will let Drilon speak. When he witnessed that momentous partnership agreement between the MNTC and BCDA, he said:

“The integration of the NLEx and SCTEx toll systems will help avoid traffic build-up in our expressways, which will translate into a pleasant and enjoyable time for our countrymen regularly traversing these tollways, especially during holidays, and savings in terms of travel time and fuel consumption.

“I am glad to extend my assistance in pursuing a prompt and decisive stance in this development initiative. Filipinos deserve a smooth, safe and unproblematic time while traveling, especially during peak seasons where many take to the roads to visit their loved ones.”

And as I am traveling once again this week, I rest my case.