Plan your summer escapade now. Explore the North via the SCTEX!

After Holy Week, SCTEX gears up anew for

long weekendWhat’s inside?

IWAS TIRIK ADVISORYPara sa mabilis, matipid at maginhawang biyahe sa SCTEX, siguraduhing nasa tamang kundisyon ang inyong sasakyan. I-check muna ang mga sumusunod: mga gulong, makina, tubig sa radiator, break, busina at iba pa.

Gumamit ng mga service areas (e.g. gasoline stations, comfort rooms) na matatagpuan sa North Luzon Expressway (NLEX), MacArthur Highway, Olongapo-Gapan Road, Concepcion-Magalang Road, Tarlac-Sta. Rosa Road at iba pa bago bumiyahe sa SCTEX.

MAY 2010 VOL. V BLG. IV

SCTEX Hotlines: (045) 865-2030 • (02) 362-9997 • (02) 362-2246 • 0920-96-SCTEX

Story on page 2

Anawangin Cove: Nature at its finest - p.3

Scenes from an Expressway- p. 4

SCTEX Toll Fee Matrix - p.4

Balitang SCTEX2 MAY 2010

TOLLWAYS MANAGEMENT CORPORATION (TMC)

Publisher and Circulation

ALOYSIUS R. SANTOSChairman, BCDA

GEN NARCISO L ABAYA (RET)President and CEO, BCDA

AILEEN R. ZOSAExecutive Vice President, BCDA

BGEN ROBERT C GERVACIO (RET)Editorial Adviser/SCTEX Program Manager

for Operational Support Services (OSS)

LEILANI BARLONGAY-MACASAETEditor-in-Chief/BCDA Public Affairs Manager

ROY VICTOR R. ROSALESManaging Editor/BCDA PRO IV

GARRY A. CATIVOMICHELLE S. SAN JUAN

Writers and Lay-out Artists/BCDA PIOs

AGEM ALFAFARASPhotographer/BCDA Media Production Personnel

Contributors:MIKE VIVAS

JENNIFER MALLOSCTEX Community Relations

JOSHUA BINGCANGSCTEX PMO for Engineering

JERRY MENDOZASCTEX Greening and Environmental Management PMO

MA. CECILIA VILLARUELSCTEX Operations and Maintenance PMO

Ang Biyaheng SCTEX ay ang opisyal na pahayagan ng Subic-Clark-Tarlac Expressway, proyekto ng Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA) na inilalathala ng Tollways Management Corp. (TMC). Matatagpuan ang opisina ng SCTEX sa Toll Operations Center Bldg. (TOCB) Dolores, Mabalacat, Pampanga.

After Holy Week...from page 1

The state-run Subic-Clark-Tarlac Expressway (SCTEX) geared up for abnormally heavy traffic seen during the long weekend in light of the national observance of Araw ng Kagitingan that places the historic Bataan-Corregidor peninsula as the centerpiece of the commemorative rites.

The SCTEX, now connected to the North Luzon Expressway (NLEX), lend added dimension to the celebration as it offers seamless and comfortable travel from Metro Manila westward to Bataan. The SCTEX-NLEX linkup translates into a total of about 178 kilometers of world-class highway starting at the very doorstep of the metropolis running all the way up to the heart of the Subic Freeport Zone in Olongapo City, the gateway to the erstwhile World War II theater that was Bataan and Corregidor.

Smarting from experience arising from the unusual spikes in traffic volume during the Holy Week over the past years, administrators of the SCTEX earlier emerged relatively successful in handling last week’s situation that registered an all-time high in the number of vehicles that entered the 93.7-kilometer tollway.

SCTEX owner and builder Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA) cited the contingency measures set in place in anticipation of the heavy traffic that develops during the annual observance of the Lenten Season.

The Tollways Management Corp. (TMC), SCTEX interim service provider, also lauded the motorists for doing their part in helping ease traffic flow by having the exact amount for toll fees or electronic cards ready as they approached the toll booths. Robert C. Gervacio, BCDA program manager for operational support services and spokesman, noted that the travel advisories and other preemptive moves undertaken by the TMC “delivered the desired results in efficient traffic management relative to the Lenten observance, specifically from March 30 to April 4.” “We anticipated all conceivable scenarios to ward off queuing at toll plazas and ensure that the SCTEX-users continue to enjoy unimpeded, speedy and comfortable travel,” Gervacio said.

...“we ensure that SCTEX-users continue to enjoy unimpeded, speedy and comfortable travel.” - Gervacio, SCTEX program manager for operational support services and spokesperson

He also advised motorists to take the necessary preventive measure to ensure hassle-free driving by making sure that their vehicles have been checked for long-distance road worthiness, especially during the unusually hot “El Nino” summer.

“Motorist should make sure their tires are inflated to the right pressure, the radiator should have ample water, the engine should have the right amount of oil, and most importantly, the fuel tank should have

more than enough gas to reach their destination, “ Gervacio noted.

The BCDA said that all 11 interchanges, now fully functional, were likewise instrumental in promoting more convenient entry and exit from the SCTEX, notably with the recent opening of the Porac and Floridablanca interchanges.

The deployment of ambulant toll tellers also helped to considerably facilitate vehicle passage at the usual choke points, accounting for a total of 20,508 manual transactions during the six-day period. On the other hand, system-generated transactions chalked up 178,362 toll payments, for a total of 198,870 vehicles that entered/exited the SCTEX during the same week.

For the week in review, the SCTEX generated a total of P15,127,106 in toll revenues, representing a daily average take of P2,521,184.

“But more importantly, our achievement during the week indicated that we are ready to take on bigger challenges insofar as operations of the SCTEX are concerned,” the BCDA stressed.

Through the seamless connection with NLEX, SCTEX lets motorists and tourists have a hassle-free travel to their destinations.

Sacobia-Bamban Bridge in SCTEX.

MAY 2010 3Lakbay SCTEX

ANAWANGIN COVE: Nature at its finest

Photo credits: Miguel Bantad and Danna Shayne Molina

by Michelle S. San Juan

Sitting in the town of San Antonio, Zambales is one of the most popular summer destinations in the North: the Anawangin Cove. A 30-minute boat ride from the town of Pundaquit, Anawangin Cove boasts of its fine sands, clear blue waters, majestic mountain range, and tall pine trees which gives an extraordinary experience to campers and beach goers. Anawangin originated its name from an Ilocano word ”nuang” meaning carabao since there is a large quantity of it there.

Welcome Arch at San Antonio, Zambales.

Boat ride is the most convenient way to get to Anawangin via Pundaquit beach. Depending on the water condition, the ride usually takes 20-30 minute. On the other hand, there are also some people who are bold enough to take a 6-hour trekking through the Pundaquit range to get to the cove. Boat ride going to Anawangin Cove.

One of the fascinating things you will love in Anawangin Cove is the unique sand surrounding it. It is composed mainly of lahar that came from the eruption of Mt. Pinatubo during the year 1991. Locals say that before the eruption, Anawangin is mostly rock. Therefore, the lahar painted the entire beach stretch with a different drama.

Aside from the lahar sand, the cove also possesses hundreds of tall pine trees that gives shade to the campers, making it a perfect place to pitch tent and set-up their resting places. The trees are said to be Agoho trees, which only sprung after the Mt. Pinatubo showered its ashes in Anawangin. Its abundance also gives an ideal post for hammock where you can relax and chill while reading your favorite novel or listening to your mp3s player. A stream also nestles in the midst of the pine forest, where it gives a clear reflection of the lofty species surrounding it.

Being far from the town proper, there is no available network connection in the entire cove. In addition, Anawangin has no resorts built around it, so there are only few comfort rooms that can be used to unload your excess baggage. Large water containers are filled with water from a pump/deep well, which can be used in taking a bath or washing the dishes. This also means that there is no available network connection in the cove.

Tourists should pack enough food and drinking water for the rest of their stay since there are no formal restaurants, fast food bistros, or convenient stores that can be found in the place. Although there is a small sari-sari store in the cove, items are being sold in a much higher price so it is still best to pack your own supplies to avoid spending too much. Portable gas range, cook set and utensils are a must when going to Anawangin. Flashlights, lamps, or portable daylights are also needed, most especially at night, when the place turns into pitch black. Bonfires are strictly prohibited in the place.

Pundaquit mountain range.

Anawangin Cove is a great spot for people who love nature tripping and for those who wants to be far from the stresses of work and the buzz of the city life. So pack that camping gear and have that Anawangin Cove experience now!

Photo shows shore line at Anawangin and the numerous pine trees huddling at the grounds of the entire cove.

Impormasyong SCTEX4 MAY 2010

SCTEX TOLL FEE MATRIX FOR CLASS 1 VEHICLES

Scenes from an ExpresswayLakbay Alalay 2010 @ SCTEX

March 31 - April 4, 2010

Lakbay Alalay streamers are installed in overpasses of SCTEX during the Holy Week period.

Mabalacat Interchange Service Camp.

Dampe Area Service Camp.

Petron Lakbay Alalay volunteers with BCDA Public Affairs staff at Mabalacat InterchangeService Camp.

Petron Lakbay Alalay volunteers at Dampe Area Service Camp.