SMC, DOTR, DND sign right-of-way agreement for Southeast Metro Manila Expressway

San Miguel Corporation (SMC) and the government have signed an agreement that brings the much-awaited Skyway 4 or Southeast Metro Manila Expressway (SEMME) one step closer to reality.

SMC, through its infrastructure arm, signed a right-of-way usage agreement on Monday, February 3, with the Department of Transportation (DOTr), the Department of National Defense (DND), and the Veterans Association of the Philippines, which owns parts of the land that SEMME’s carriageway will traverse.

“The agreement signals another game-changing infrastructure initiative. This toll road, with a combination of at-grade and elevated expressways, will create a much-needed alternate route, bypassing traffic-heavy roads and easing congestion along EDSA and other key corridors,” said Transportation Secretary Jaime J. Bautista.

“With SMC at the helm, this project underscores our commitment to long-term solutions for urban mobility,” he added.

For his part, SMC Chairman and CEO Ramon S. Ang said: “We cannot overemphasize the importance of SEMME in improving the traffic situation in our cities. It will benefit residents in the southern and eastern parts of Metro Manila by providing an alternative route to Quezon City.”

“Once fully operational, we project about 150,000 vehicles to use it daily. Travel time from Bicutan, Taguig, to the Batasan area in Quezon City will be significantly reduced from about two hours to just under 30 minutes. Just as Skyway Stage 3 helped decongest EDSA, SEMME can help decongest C-5,” he added.

Ang reaffirmed the company's commitment to start construction on the first segment of SEMME as soon as all right-of-way issues are resolved.

He also acknowledged the Ayala Group’s efforts to collaborate with SMC in integrating its Arca South estate with the Skyway System through SEMME. Both companies have signed an integration agreement, under which an exit from SEMME will be built at the Arca South estate.

SEMME is a 32.66-km toll expressway connecting the Skyway System at Arca South — formerly the FTI Complex in Taguig City — and extending all the way to the Batasan Complex in Quezon City. The expressway is also expected to provide an alternative route for motorists and travelers from Parañaque and Taguig heading to the eastern parts of Metro Manila and Rizal, with planned exits at Ortigas Avenue Extension, Marcos Highway, and Tumana Bridge in Quezon City.