The newly appointed chairperson and Board of Directors of the Public Estates Authority Tollway Corp. (PEATC) on Tuesday pledged support for President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s vision of strengthening tollway operations and expanding infrastructure under the “Bagong Pilipinas” (New Philippines) agenda.
Engineer Peter Anthony “Onyx” Crisologo took his oath as PEATC chairperson, along with newly designated directors Mario Katigbak Espinosa, lawyer Jose Ferrer Jr., and lawyer Gladys Velasco in a ceremony administered by Supreme Court Associate Justice Rodil Zalameda at the New Supreme Court Building in Ermita, Manila.
This marks the first time since PEATC’s creation on Oct. 7, 1997 that a full Board of Directors has been appointed.
In an ambush interview, Crisologo emphasized the importance of the government’s involvement in tollway operations through PEATC’s joint venture with Cavitex Infrastructure Corp., which manages the Manila-Cavite Expressway (CAVITEX).
“Sa mga hindi po nakakaalam, ‘yung dinadaanan po natin sa Coastal Road, iyan po ang CAVITEX, ang nag-o-operate at nagma-manage niyan ay joint venture ng Cavitex Infrastructure Corpo. at PEATC (For those who are not aware, the Coastal Road or CAVITEX is operated and managed through a joint venture between Cavitex Infrastructure Corporation and PEATC)," Crisologo said.
He noted that the establishment of the board would help ensure that toll operations align with the administration’s goals to improve public mobility and promote regional growth.
“Ang pangako ng Presidente ay hindi dapat pahirapan ang taumbayan kundi dapat gamitin pa ito para mapataas ang turismo at pag-unlad hindi lamang sa Metro Manila kundi pati na sa ating southern corridor (The President has promised not to burden the people but instead use this to boost tourism and development, not just in Metro Manila but also in the southern corridor)," he added.
The PEATC, located along Aguinaldo Boulevard (Coastal Road) in Parañaque City, is a government-owned and -controlled corporation under the Philippine Reclamation Authority (PRA).
It is responsible for overseeing toll operations on PRA-developed roads and ensuring efficient public-private partnerships that benefit the government.
The newly appointed board is expected to reinforce transparency, improve institutional performance, and help integrate transport infrastructure in support of the government’s Build Better More and Bagong Pilipinas programs.
PNA PHOTO
