Subic via SCTEx

The Subic-Clark-Tarlac Expressway (SCTEx) is a 94-kilometer four-lane expressway north of Manila, in the Philippines. Its southern terminus is at the Subic Bay Freeport Zone in Zambales, it passes through the interchange with the North Luzon Expressway near the Clark Special Economic Zone in Angeles City, and its northern terminus is at the Central Techno Park in Tarlac City, Tarlac.

Construction on the expressway began in April 2005, and opened to the public three years after. To date, it is the Philippines' longest toll expressway.

The expressway is part of the Bases Conversion Development Authority's Subic-Clark-Tarlac Expressway Project or SCTEP, which aims to connect the ecozones of Subic and Clark and the Hacienda Luisita in Tarlac. The joint-venture of First Philippine Infrastructure Development Corporation, Tollways Management Corporation and Egis Projects, the same concessionaires of the North Luzon Expressway, will handle all the operations and maintenance of the expressway. First Philippine Infrastructure Development Corporation is a subsidiary of First Philippine Holdings, a holding company under the Lopez Group of Companies with core investments in power and tollways, and strategic initiatives in property and manufacturing. The four-lane divided highway is divided into two major sections. The first section, the Subic-Clark section is 50.5 kilometers long; the Clark-Tarlac section measures 43.27 kilometers long. Undertaking the construction for the first section are the Kajima-Obayashi-JFE Engineering-Mitsubishi (KOJM) Joint Venture and the second section under Hazama-Taisei-Nippon Steel (HTN) Joint Venture.

The total cost for the construction of the expressway is PhP 27.405 billion. It was sourced through a loan from the Japan Bank for International Cooperation (JBIC) amounting to ¥41.93 billion or Php23.06 billion-with an interest rate of 0.95% per annum. The project, supposed to be completed by December 2007, was delayed due to right-of-way issues and slippage fixes.

P22.63 billion of the total project cost represents direct costs such as expenses incurred for the construction of the SCTEX. The indirect costs of P3.34 billion include land acquisition, consultancy services, project management expenses and taxes and duties. Financing costs of P1.23 billion include the Department of Finance guarantee fee and JBIC loan interest during the construction period. Toll Fees are approved by the Toll Regulatory Board (TRB)

Coron, Palawan

Coron is a 2nd class municipality in the province of Palawan, Philippines. According to the 2000 census, it has a population of 32,243 people in 6,264 households.

The municipality covers part of Busuanga Island and all of the nearby Coron Island. Both islands are part of the Calamian Group of Islands in northern Palawan. The main industries of Coron are fishing and tourism, being a popular diving location.

The aquatic views from the sunken Japanese warships off Coron Island are listed in Forbes Traveler Magazine’s top 10 best scuba diving sites in the world.

Talisay, Batangas

Talisay is a 4th class municipality in the province of Batangas, Philippines. According to the latest census, it has a population of 39,120 inhabitants in 6,246 households.

Talisay is located in the north-central area of Batangas, which is located southwest of the island of Luzon, approximately 84 kilometers south from Metro Manila. It is bordered by Tagaytay City in the north, the municipality of Laurel to the west, Tanauan City to the east, and a vast volcanic lake called Taal Lake to the south.

View from Trinoma Mall QC

Bolinao, Pangasinan

Bolinao is a 3rd class municipality in the province of Pangasinan, Philippines. According to the 2000 census, it has a population of 61,068 people in 12,182 households.

The people generally speak Ilocano and Panggalatok but they also have their own unique language called Bolinao, brought in by Sambal settlers during colonial rule. Most people generally understand and speak English.

On November 18, 2007, Bolinao challenged the historical fact that the first Mass was held on March 31, 1521, Easter Sunday, at Limasawa in Southern Leyte. Memorial markers (donated by Italian priest Luigi Malamocco, 62, from Odorico’s hometown of Friuli, Italy) were set in the town’s church and on Santiago Island, claiming that in 1324, Franciscan missionaries led by an Italian priest named Odorico celebrated a thanksgiving Mass thereat and also baptized natives

Lemery, Batangas

Lemery is one of the fastest growing municipalities in Batangas, Philippines with major commercial establishments fastly occupying the streets of Lemery. Lemery is also known for its ideal terminals of travel to Manila and other cities due to its proximity.