CAVITEX Segment 3B remains free to motorists—Phil. Reclamation Authority

Not for the Toll Regulatory Board to decide alone

On May 5, 2026

PRA/PEA-TC Public Bulletin: Collection DEFERRED until further notice.

THE Philippine Reclamation Authority (PRA) assured that the newly opened 2-kilometers stretch of Segment 3B of the Manila Cavite Expressway (CAVITEX) remains free for use by motorists, contrary to last week’s announcement by the Toll Regulatory Board.

PRA Chairman Atty. Alex Lopez said the TRB decision to start collecting toll fess at CAVITEX Segment 3B is “wrong timing>’

In a statement released by his office, PRA Chairman Atty. Alex Lopez said they are opposed to the collection of fees to motorists at this time in support of President Marcos Junior’s declaration of a state of national emergency in view of the still ongoing war in the Middle East that greatly affected the flow of oil to the rest of the world.

He added that the Manila-Cavite Toll Expressway (MCTE) Project Committee has also not yet reached an agreement on when to start the collection of toll fees.

“In view of the current fuel crisis and State of National Energy Emergency declaration by the President of the Philippines, the Philippine Reclamation Authority maintains that the timing of the implementation of the Notice to Start Collection (NTSC) issued by the Toll Regulatory Board shall depend on the result of the deliberations and agreement of the Manila-Cavite Toll Expressway (MCTE) Project Committee pursuant to the MCTE Joint Venture Agreement.

“Hence, please be advised that the said NTSC or the new toll fees for the C5 Link Expressway will not yet be implemented on May 5, 2026,” reads the statement from Lopez.

The MCTE Project Committee is composed of the PRA, its direct subsidiary, the Public Estate Authority (PEA) Tollway Corporation and their private sector partner, the CAVITEX Infrastructure Corporation (CIC), one the companies under the Metro Pacific Corporation (MPC) of businessman Manny V. Pangilinan (MVP).

Segment 3B of the CAVITEX (in yellow) that connects it to C5 Expressway would cut down travel time to 5 minutes while providing a safe, convenient and seamless experience when it finally opens to the public (stock photo).

Segment 3B of the CAVITEX is the major arterial link to Parañaque City in the south and the C5 connector link in Taguig City in the east, and was formally inaugurated by President Marcos Jr. last March 30 (Pinoy Exposé, April 2, 2026).

Thru the initiative of the PRA, no toll fees were collected for the entire month of April in support of the President’s call to ease the burden to the public of the rising cost of fuel and transportation.

The PRA also emphasized that under their Toll Operating Agreement (TOA) with the CIC, toll collection is the “responsibility” of the Grantee (PRA) through the PEA-TC.

“As the O&M operator, PEA-TC has the duty and responsibility to conduct thorough inspections of the physical conditions along the entire tollable length of the C-5 Link Expressway to ensure that majority, if not all, of the ‘punch list’ items following the issuance of the Certificate of Substantial Completion (CSC), the Road Safety Audit (RSA), and the Site Acceptance Test (SAT) have already been addressed in order to avoid complaints from the motoring public once toll fees are charged for the use of the newly opened segment,” Lopez also reminded the TRB.

ANOTHER MILESTONE UNDER ‘BAGONG PILIPINAS.’ Philippine Reclamation Authority (PRA) Chairman Atty. Alex Lopez, briefing President Ferdinand ‘Bongbong’ Marcos Jr. and Public Works Secretary Vince Dizon on the specifics of the newly-opened CAVITEX-C5 Segment 3B Link Project that is expected to ease traffic in the southern part of Metro Manila and nearby areas while providing seamless connectivity for those traveling to the Southern Tagalog Region during the project’s opening, March 30, 2026 (photo: PRA/PEATC).

He said the breathing space would give the MCTE Project Committee the “opportunity” to arrive at a consensus as to the ideal implementation date of the NTSC issued by the TRB last May 2.

He said this would also give the MCTE Project Committee time to make sure that there would be minimal to no technical issues that can be the source of complaints or negative feedback from the public.

Based on the May 2 announcement of the TRB, motorists exiting at Dr. A. Santos Avenue in Parañaque City from C5/Taguig City (vice versa), would pay ₱59 pesos for Class 1 vehicles, ₱117 for Class 2 vehicles and ₱176 for Class 3 vehicles.

On the other hand, those coming from C5/Taguig City and exiting at Roxas Boulevard and

Zapote, Cavite (vice versa), would pay ₱97 for Class 1 vehicle, ₱194 for Class 2 vehicles and ₱291 for Class 3 vehicles.

Lopez also emphasized that while commercial gain and immediate return on investment are “understandable objectives” for any big-scale project, the PRA and PEA-TC, as ‘GOCCs’ (government-owned and controlled corporation), are mindful that their operations are “still imbued with public interest.”

He added that PRA and PEA-TC are “always conscious” of observing governmental and social sensitivities in all their actions, especially with the call of President Marcos for all government agencies to work together for the public good.

“While the PRA and PEATC are inclined to abide by the TRB, both agencies are committed to aiding nationwide efforts in subsidizing essential transport services in support of the Filipino public,” Lopez said.