LGHTNOVELBOOK Chapter 179: Building Southward
Batangas City — January 3, 2024 | 10:15 AM
The morning sun was already high above the Southern Luzon skyline as Matthew Borja stepped out of the SUV, flanked by local contractors, safety officers, and Angel. The air smelled faintly of salt and cement dust—Batangas' coastal winds brushing past the massive concrete pillars now forming the southernmost edge of Phase One of the Astra Expressway.
Wearing a crisp white hard hat and reflective vest, Matthew surveyed the site. The segment stretching from Nasugbu to the Batangas port was critical. Not just for passenger travel—but for logistics. If completed on time, it would unlock a vital artery for regional commerce, dramatically shortening cargo routes between Metro Manila and CALABARZON's deep-sea ports.
Angel stood beside him, tablet in hand. "Latest drone report," she said, handing it to him. "We're at 92% land clearance in Batangas. Pilar exit design has passed structural audit. And the port connector—once we finish that bridge—we're in full logistical swing."
Matthew scanned the screen, nodding. "What's the ETA on that coastal bridge?"
"Two weeks for column setting. Four weeks to lay the girder structure. We're ahead of every mark so far," she replied, her tone filled with that usual calm efficiency.
Matthew smiled faintly. "Remind me to send lunch to the workers again. They're the ones keeping this engine alive."
She nodded. "Already ordered."
They walked further into the staging site, where rebar cages were being tied and cranes rumbled to life. Local workers—many of them hired through Astra's livelihood outreach program—waved as Matthew passed, offering shy nods or a raised fist of recognition.
"Salamat po, sir!" one of them shouted.
Matthew raised a hand in return, the warmth of the moment never lost on him. These weren't just employees. These were the very people the road was meant for.
—
Lipa City — January 4, 2024 | 3:00 PM
Inside a packed city hall auditorium, more than two hundred small business owners, cooperative heads, and barangay officials gathered for Astra's "Corridor Business Development Briefing." With the expressway pushing southward, the economic opportunities were multiplying—and Sentinel BioTech was determined to keep locals in the loop.
Angel stood at the front, flanked by representatives from the Department of Trade and Industry and several local chambers of commerce.
"What we're doing," Angel explained, gesturing to the large LED screen showing exit town maps, "is making sure local commerce thrives alongside infrastructure. Exit plazas will include spaces for regional products. Co-ops will be prioritized for bulk contracts, and local farmers will be able to supply rest stop facilities along the corridor."
An older woman raised her hand. "Ma'am, will small vendors like us have a place here? Or is this going to be all big business?"
Angel's response was immediate. "You're the foundation. We're reserving over 30% of service plaza retail space for local tenants. No bidding wars. We'll register you and assign spaces fairly."
Another round of applause. Another wall of doubt chipped away.
—
Sentinel BioTech HQ, Manila — January 6, 2024 | 10:30 AM
Back at headquarters, the executive boardroom was packed with planners. A full-scale status review was underway. Matthew stood at the head of the room while logistical teams, financial officers, and satellite office leads joined in via secure video link.
"Phase One progress stands at 34% structural completion," a logistics officer reported. "Cavite segment is 50% graded and ready for rebar. Bataan connector is already being surveyed for Phase Two."
Angel added, "Hyundai's toll gate bid has been shortlisted. But Japan's Mitsubishi Smart Infra has submitted an AI-powered highway management system that's… worth exploring."
Matthew turned to the engineers. "Let's bring them both in. If it takes two to build something smarter, we do it. No brand loyalty—just results."
The room murmured in agreement.
Then came the finance lead. "Total cost-to-date: ₱31.8 billion. No anomalies, no untagged expenditures. Investor confidence has held steady—even strengthened. We're fielding new offers from Singapore and Europe."
Matthew nodded. "Keep the cap table clean. And make sure those investors understand—this isn't just a toll project. It's a national framework."
—
Subic Freeport — January 8, 2024 | 1:45 PM
Matthew took a detour to the Astra HQ warehouse complex in Subic, where pre-fab toll booths were being assembled alongside modular rest stop prototypes. Engineers from Germany and South Korea worked side by side with local designers.
A Singaporean investor named Thomas Lim toured the facility with Matthew. "I have to say, Mr. Borja, I've never seen a project scale so fast without bureaucratic implosion."
Matthew smiled. "We built this to move around the implosions. We let transparency speak louder than permits. And when that doesn't work, we build in public so the public asks the questions for us."
Lim grinned. "Smart. Unorthodox. But smart."
—
Astra Media Feature — January 10, 2024 | National News Network
The evening feature segment opened with sweeping drone footage of the expressway construction—massive concrete beams set against the coastal sunset, excavation teams laying asphalt in perfect synchronicity, and families waving from rooftops as road graders passed.
Then came the anchor's voiceover.
"Three weeks in, and the Astra Expressway has done what few dared imagine: progress without delay, disruption, or controversy. While critics once accused Matthew Borja of being too ambitious, too impatient—the numbers now tell a different story."
Clips rolled of community town halls, Matthew shaking hands with local workers, and Angel explaining grant programs to vendors.
"For the first time in a long time," the anchor concluded, "it seems a road is not just leading somewhere—but meaning something."
—
Sentinel Rooftop — January 11, 2024 | 8:00 PM
The stars above Manila were faint, but still there—twinkling past the haze and light pollution. Matthew stood quietly near the edge of the rooftop, Angel beside him again, the city below whispering with its usual rhythm.
"We got the call from JR East," Angel said. "They want in on Phase Two. They're offering next-gen structural tech for bridges in Visayas."
Matthew let out a long breath. "They understand what we're trying to do."
"They do," she said. "And so do the people."
Matthew looked out across the skyline. "What's next?"
Angel didn't answer right away.
Then she smiled.
"Southward. We build the next line. Visayas. Mindanao. A spine for the archipelago."
He turned to her, eyes firm. "We'll start planning tomorrow."
She nodded. "Already did."
The breeze tugged at their jackets, but neither moved. The air carried something new now—not just dust and traffic fumes, but hope.
The kind of hope laid down one kilometer at a time.