Marcos Opens CALAX Subsection 3, Grants One-Month Toll-Free Travel

Key facts

• CALAX Subsection 3 opened on May 4, 2025, after a decade of construction.
• The 4.5-km segment connects Cavite and Laguna, reducing travel time from 30 minutes to 5–6 minutes.
• President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. announced a one-month toll-free period for all motorists.
• The project faced delays due to right-of-way issues, resolved with help from local officials.
• DPWH Secretary Vince Dizon and DOTr Secretary Giovanni Lopez attended the inauguration.
• The toll waiver is intended to let commuters experience the benefit of the new infrastructure.

A Decade in the Making, a Highway Opens

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. officially opened the Cavite-Laguna Expressway (CALAX) Subsection 3 on Monday morning, May 4, after ten years of construction plagued by right-of-way disputes. The 4.5-kilometer stretch, which links Cavite and Laguna, is expected to dramatically ease commuting between the two provinces. “For one month, there will be no toll. So our countrymen will see and feel the great relief from such big projects,” Marcos said during the inauguration. The toll-free period applies to all motorists using the new segment.

Travel Time Slashed from 30 Minutes to Six

The new subsection cuts travel time between Biñan, Laguna, and General Trias, Cavite, from roughly half an hour to just five to six minutes, according to the President. The expressway is designed to decongest alternative routes and provide a faster, safer corridor for commuters and goods. Marcos emphasized that the project would bring tangible benefits to daily travelers, many of whom endure long hours on congested roads. The one-month toll waiver is intended to allow motorists to experience the improved connectivity firsthand.

Officials and Local Leaders Join Inauguration

The President was joined by Department of Public Works and Highways Secretary Vince Dizon, Department of Transportation Secretary Giovanni Lopez, and several local officials from Cavite and Laguna. Their presence underscored the collaborative effort required to overcome the right-of-way challenges that delayed the project for years. Local government units played a key role in resolving land acquisition issues, enabling the completion of the expressway. The project is part of a broader infrastructure push under the administration's Build Better More program.

A Milestone in Regional Connectivity

CALAX Subsection 3 is a critical link in the larger Cavite-Laguna Expressway network, which aims to improve mobility in the rapidly urbanizing CALABARZON region. The expressway is expected to support economic growth by reducing logistics costs and travel time for businesses and residents alike. The one-month toll-free offer is a temporary measure to encourage usage and gather feedback. Regular toll rates will be announced by the concessionaire, MPCALA Holdings Inc., after the promotional period ends.

What Comes Next for CALAX and Commuters

With Subsection 3 now operational, attention turns to the remaining segments of the CALAX project. The full expressway, once completed, will span approximately 45 kilometers from Kawit, Cavite, to Mamplasan, Biñan, Laguna. Motorists are advised to plan their routes accordingly during the toll-free month. The government expects the new road to significantly reduce traffic on existing highways, particularly along the congested Aguinaldo Highway and Governor’s Drive.

The bottom line

• CALAX Subsection 3 opened May 4 after a decade of construction, with a one-month toll-free period.
• The 4.5-km segment cuts travel time between Biñan and General Trias from 30 minutes to 5–6 minutes.
• President Marcos, DPWH Secretary Dizon, and DOTr Secretary Lopez led the inauguration.
• Right-of-way issues delayed the project; local officials helped resolve them.
• The toll waiver aims to let motorists experience the expressway's benefits before regular rates apply.
• The segment is part of a larger 45-km CALAX network expected to boost regional economic activity.