[ Manila Bulletin Online ] August 16, 2008
Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA) spokesperson Robert Gervacio said yesterday Metro Manila motorists are assured of a convenient, fuel-efficient, and time-saving trip to Central and Northern Luzon via the Subic-Clark-Tarlac Expressway (SCTEX) during the two long weekends on Aug. 16-18 and Aug. 23-25.
Through Proclamation No. 1463, Ninoy Aquino Day (Aug. 21) will be observed on Aug. 18, while the National Heroes’ Day (Aug. 31) will be observed on August 25, this year. Both August 18 and 25 are Mondays.
President Arroyo had earlier issued Proclamation No. 1463 which sets the specific dates of the movable holidays as mandated by Republic Act No. 9492.
Under Proclamation No. 9492, holidays, except those that are religious, would have to be moved to the nearest Monday, unless otherwise modified by law, order or other proclamation.
"We encourage motorists who will be going home to the provinces in Central Luzon and North Luzon for the holidays to travel via the SCTEX, especially now that we have opened the entire 93.77-kilometer toll road composed of the 50.5-kilometer Subic-Clark segment and the 43.27-kilometer Clark-Tarlac segment," Gervacio said.
With the opening of the Clark-Tarlac segment last July 25, motorists coming from Metro Manila can now take SCTEX via a seamless connection from the North Luzon Expressway (NLEX) and exit at Concepcion, San Miguel or Tarlac City.
It would take only some 25 minutes for motorists to travel to Tarlac City from the Clark Logistics Toll Plaza. Motorists will find it more convenient to use SCTEX in going to the north -- especially to Pangasinan, Baguio, La Union, and Ilocos.
Based on the approved rates, Class 1 vehicles entering SCTEX from the Clark Logistics Plaza pay each R32 if they exit at Concepcion; R60 at San Miguel, and R69 at Tarlac City.
Likewise, Class I vehicles traveling the entire 94-kilometer stretch of the SCTEX from Subic Bay to Tarlac City pay each the maximum toll fee of R181; Subic Bay to San Miguel at R172; and Subic Bay to Concepcion atR144.
Charlie Española, Tollways Management Corp.’s (TMC) division head for SCTEX, said TMC has deployed emergency medical services and towing crew, as well as roadside repair technicians along the expressway.
"More importantly, there is a composite security team deployed along the SCTEX coming from BCDA, the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority, and the Clark Development Corp. to ensure the safety of our motorists," Española said.
SCTEX is directly linked to North Luzon Expressway (NLEX) via a two-kilometer spur road and interchange just after the northbound Dau exit of NLEX. Subic-bound motorists could take the spur interchange between the Dau and Sta. Ines exits of NLEX and then proceed to the SCTEX Clark Logistics Toll Plaza, turning left for Subic.
Those bound for Bataan can exit at the SCTEX Dinalupihan interchange via Roman Highway. From Subic and Bataan bound for Manila, motorists can enter SCTEx at the Tipo Toll Plaza and the Dinalupihan Toll Plaza, respectively.
