The Department of Budget and Management of Philippines has released PHP1.6bn ($36.4m) to partially fund the right-of-way acquisitions and contract services for the PHP35.4bn ($807m) Cavite-Laguna Expressway (CALA) project.

The funding was sourced from the public-private partnership strategic support fund of the Department of Public Works and Highways’ budget.

A total of PHP25.2bn ($574.4m) of the total cost will be sourced from the private sector, while the remaining PHP10.2bn ($232.5m) from the national government.

"The construction of the Cavite-Laguna Expressway project would definitely improve access to transportation and open more opportunities for investment in economic and industrial zones."

The CALA project is a four-lane, 47km-long expressway that will link the South Luzon Expressway Mamplasan Interchange in Binan, Laguna with the Manila Cavite Tollroad Expressway in Kawit, Cavite.

It includes the construction of 51 bridges, eight interchanges and plazas.

Budget secretary Florencio Abad said: "The construction of the Cavite-Laguna Expressway project would definitely improve access to transportation and open more opportunities for investment in economic and industrial zones."

Construction on the project is expected to begin this year and be complete by 2018.