Food prices to go down once CALAX operates — Palace

FOOD PRICES are expected to go down once the 44-kilometer Cavite-Laguna Expressway (CALAX) is fully operational by the third quarter of 2025, the Palace said on Tuesday.

In a news briefing, Palace Press Officer and Presidential Communications Undersecretary Clarissa A. Castro said the reduction of travel time could also lessen fuel consumption, leading to reduced food prices.

“If we can reduce the travel time, it will definitely also reduce the fuel consumption, and it will benefit all travelers and also those that will transport the food and other necessities,” she said. “[Food] prices will also go down.”

This comes after President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr., visited the ongoing construction of CALAX Subsection 3, or the Governor’s Drive Interchange in Cavite province.

CALAX is expected to reduce travel time between the Manila-Cavite Toll Expressway (CAVITEX) and the South Luzon Expressway (SLEX) by 45 minutes.

Ms. Castro said this will benefit about 95,000 motorists every day.

The interchange is currently 44% complete.

The other subsections of the Cavite segment include the Cavitex Connection and the Open Canal Interchange, while the fully operational Laguna segment consists of the Sta. Rosa, Tagaytay, Laguna Boulevard, Laguna Technopark, and Mamplasan Toll Barrier interchanges.

It will also establish a seamless connection between Metro Manila and Region IV-A (Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Rizal, and Quezon), enhancing the region’s competitiveness as a prime investment destination, the Palace said in a separate statement on March 21. — Chloe Mari A. Hufana