The Iloilo–Capiz–Aklan Expressway (ICAEX), also known as the Panay Expressway, is a proposed 4-lane, 210-kilometre (130 mi), full-access controlled toll expressway on the island of Panay, in the Philippines. It is composed of elevated roadways, viaducts, a tunnel, and a long-span bridge.[1]
| Iloilo–Capiz–Aklan Expressway | |
|---|---|
| Panay Expressway | |
 Map of Western Visayas with proposed route of ICAEx | |
| Route information | |
| Length | 210 km (130 mi) |
| Major junctions | |
| From | Leganes |
| To | Malay |
| Location | |
| Country | Philippines |
| Regions | Western Visayas |
| Provinces | Aklan, Capiz, and Iloilo |
| Major cities | Passi and Roxas |
| Highway system | |
| |
The project will traverse two cities of Passi and Roxas, and 20 municipalities across the three provinces of Aklan, Capiz, and Iloilo on Panay Island. The main entry point in Iloilo will be located in Barangay M.V. Hechanova in the municipality of Leganes, north of Iloilo City. This location is strategically chosen for its proximity to the proposed bridge approach of the Panay-Guimaras Bridge, which is part of the Panay–Guimaras–Negros Island Bridges Project. The expressway's exit point will be located in Malay, Aklan, which serves as the gateway to Boracay.[2][3] The Boracay Bridge is also being proposed under the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH)'s Public-Private Partnership (PPP) projects and may also be connected to the expressway once completed.[4][5]
The ICAEx aims to reduce travel time between the provinces of Aklan, Capiz, and Iloilo and to eliminate congestion on existing highways by bypassing chokepoints in populated areas. It also seeks to enhance the logistics network, emergency response, and tourism in Western Visayas.[1][6]
The project is expected to reduce the travel time between Iloilo City and Boracay to 2.5 hours, down from the current 6 to 7 hours.[7]
History
editThe Iloilo–Capiz–Aklan Expressway was initially unveiled as the Panay Expressway by then-President Rodrigo Duterte in his State of the Nation Address (SONA) in 2016, along with the proposed revival of Panay Railways.[8] However, the project was never finalized.
The expressway was proposed again by the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) in 2022.[9][10] The current administration, under President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., has shown support for the project, advancing it as a potential future development. It is now being considered as a public-private partnership (PPP) initiative, with a feasibility study expected to be completed in 2024.[11][12]
References
edit- ^ a b "Iloilo-Capiz-Aklan Expressway (ICAEx) | Department of Public Works and Highways". Department of Public Works and Highways. 2024-08-06. Archived from the original on 2024-08-06. Retrieved 2024-08-06.
- ^ Sornito, Ime (2024-05-29). "DPWH reviews proposal for Iloilo-Capiz-Aklan Expressway". Panay News. Retrieved 2024-08-06.
- ^ "Defensor Expects Dev't Projects For Iloilo In PBBM's 3rd Sona". www.iloilo.gov.ph. Retrieved 2024-08-06.
- ^ Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH). "Boracay Bridge Project". Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH). Retrieved 2024-08-12.
- ^ Guardian, Daily (2024-08-02). "Boracay Bridge to get PPP funding in 2025 budget". Daily Guardian. Retrieved 2024-08-12.
- ^ CEDTyClea (2022-08-24). "DPWH preparing contract guidelines for Iloilo-Capiz-Aklan expressway project". BusinessWorld Online. Retrieved 2024-08-06.
- ^ A Framework for Delivering PPPs as Part of a Broader Infrastructure Strategy. iloilocity.gov.ph. Retrieved 2024-08-06.
- ^ "EXPRESSWAY IN PANAY MULLED; It's better than railway – bizmen". Panay News. 2022-07-16. Retrieved 2024-08-06.
- ^ Lena, Perla (2022-08-24). "DPWH proposes expressway spanning 3 Panay provinces". Philippine News Agency. Retrieved 2024-08-06.
- ^ Today, Iloilo (2022-08-24). "DPWH unveils proposed Iloilo-Capiz-Aklan Expressway". Iloilo Today. Retrieved 2024-08-06.
- ^ "Feasibility study on Iloilo-Capiz-Aklan Expressway ongoing". Public-Private Partnership Center. 2023-07-10. Retrieved 2024-08-06.
- ^ Guardian, Daily (2024-05-30). "Intra-Panay Expressway under PPP review". Daily Guardian. Retrieved 2024-08-06.