The San Pedro City, Laguna northbound interchange of the South Luzon Expressway (SLEX) officially opened today, providing residents with a direct and long-awaited route to Metro Manila and a convenient entry point from farther south. The new infrastructure is set to significantly alleviate traffic congestion and improve the daily commute for thousands of motorists.
The ceremonial inauguration was attended by a host of key government and local officials, including Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Secretary Manuel M. Bonoan, Department of Transportation (DOTr) Secretary Vivencio Dizon, Toll Regulatory Board Executive Director Atty. Jose Arturo M. Tugade, Laguna 1st District Representative Ma. Rene Ann Lourdes G. Matibag and Laguna Governor Sol Aragones.
According to Secretary Bonoan, the new interchange is a direct response to the long-standing requests of San Pedro City residents, who previously only had a southbound exit. “This project stands as a clear example of what we can achieve when we work together – government, private sector, and communities united under a shared goal,” Secretary Bonoan stated. “It reflects our broader commitment under the Build Better More Infrastructure Agenda of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., toward building a more connected, more resilient, and more inclusive Bagong Pilipinas.”
The new interchange solves a major logistical challenge for commuters. Previously, San Pedro residents heading north to Metro Manila were forced to navigate the busy Manila South Road to reach the Susana Heights Interchange in Muntinlupa City or take a convoluted path of entering the San Pedro southbound toll plaza, exiting at Southwoods Interchange in Biñan City, and re-entering SLEX northbound. Similarly, motorists traveling south to San Pedro City had to exit at Susana Heights and find their way back via local roads, or exit and re-enter the tollway to reach the San Pedro southbound plaza.
Implemented by the DPWH Regional Office IV-A and the Laguna 2nd District Engineering Office through multi-year contracts since 2018, the project was completed with a total cost of P915 million. Among the DPWH officials present at the opening were Undersecretary Eugenio R. Pipo Jr., Assistant Secretary Loreta C. Malaluan, Regional Director Jovel G. Mendoza, and Assistant Director Henry Alcantara of Regional Office IV-A.
