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| (Image Source: 2nd Opinion/Metro Pacific Tollways Corporation) |
Metro Pacific Tollways Corporation (MPTC), a member of the Manuel V. Pangilinan (MVP) Group of Companies, and its subsidiaries Cebu Cordova Link Expressway Corporation (CCLEC) and MPT Mobility have recently launched the CCLEX Drive & Dine, a 5,580 square-meter, three-storey food hub that will be constructed along the iconic Cebu-Cordova Link Expressway (CCLEX) that bridges Cebu communities and motorists, through a groundbreaking ceremony. “We are very excited about this new additional development in CCLEX. The mission has always been to create a better travel experience for motorists and travelers in Cebu, and CCLEX Drive & Dine is the next big step to improving it further,” said CCLEC President and General Manager and MPT Mobility Regional Head Allan G. Alfon.
The groundbreaking for the newest development to further propel Cebu held last December 1, 2023 at the Motorists Assistance Area near the CCLEX Toll Plaza was graced and faciliated by Cordova Mayor Cesar E. Suan, Acting Cebu City Mayor Raymond Alvin N. Garcia, CCLEC President and General Manager and MPT Mobility Regional Head Allan G. Alfon, Metro Pacific Tollways Corporation President and CEO Rogelio L. Singson, MPT Mobility Director Rodrigo E. Franco, and MPT Mobility Division Head for Motorway Commercial Facilities Renie U. Ticzon.
A sit-down meal with a view
CCLEX Drive & Dine is set to follow the footsteps of NLEX Drive & Dine, MPT Mobility’s commercial dining and retail facility located along the North Luzon Expressway. With its strategic proximity between Cebu City and Cordova, CCLEX Drive & Dine is poised to contribute greatly to the dining culture in Metro Cebu, offering a gateway to the unique flavors of Cebu’s cultural scene. Similar to NLEX Drive & Dine, locals and tourists of Cebu can expect an impressive line-up of food service partners. To make CCLEX Drive & Dine stand out even more, it considers both innovation and green development, putting emphasis on green spaces around its structure to complement CCLEX’s sustainable design while respecting the magnificent and breathtaking view of the Mactan Channel and Cordova Channel. “The [original idea] was to make a service facility more than simply functional, and the overwhelmingly positive response tells us that we are on the right track in building something that would enrich the current experience and create a whole new dimension of it in the process. The first concept informed us of what is possible," says Ticzon.
A hospitable hub for hungry travelers
The CCLEX Drive & Dine also promises a step away from the ordinary — a complete reset of what travelers have come to expect on the road. As world-class design meets the best of what Cebu has to offer, this project is set to become a dining destination, adapted to suit local tastes and highlight what makes Cebu distinct. From the culture of sharing dishes to the bold, vibrant flavors of the local cuisine, the project aims to recreate the act of exploring the region through its variety of choices — from quick refreshments and casual sit-down meals to big, celebratory dinners, there is sure to be something for everyone. “The Queen City of the South takes her food seriously, and food can be such an excellent representation of the culture it stems from. This is what guides our plans for the dining scene at CCLEX Drive & Dine," said Ticzon.
While creating a one-stop-shop lifestyle hub is the end goal, the group is also looking to enhance the overall customer experience. The theme of the company’s work over the past few years has centered on customer experience as an essential component of the long-term vision of Smart Urban Mobility, a concept that has received good feedback in this region in particular. CCLEX Drive & Dine, which is targeted to open in the middle of 2024, promises not only a rest stop for travelers, but also a wide array of services to provide comfort and convenience.
