Can you still drive along Skyway Stage 3 after 5:00 PM today?

The public is up in arms following the temporary closure of Skyway Stage 3. In case you missed it, Skyway SOMCO (Skyway Operations and Management Corporation) tweeted that Stage 3 will be closed starting March 16 at 5:00 PM. SOMCO says the closure is a result of a Toll Regulatory Board (TRB) directive.

The announcement was made late last night. In SOMCO's tweet, they said that Stage 3 will only reopen once all ramps are complete following the directive of the Toll Regulatory Board (TRB). SOMCO's tweet also stated that SMC Infrastructure (San Miguel Corporation Infrastructure) had no choice but to comply with TRB's orders.

But now, the plot thickens. The TRB released a statement regarding the shutdown of Skyway Stage 3. This is what they had to say:

This is to inform the public that the Toll Regulatory Board (TRB) DID NOT ISSUE a decision or directive ordering the indefinite closure of the Skyway Stage 3 starting 5 p.m. of 16 March 2021. The position of the TRB and its management is to keep Skyway Stage 3 OPEN for the benefit of all motorists.

The statement begs several questions. Who is telling the truth? Or did the TRB backpedal after reactions from the public? We wouldn't know what happened behind closed doors, so it's all speculation up to this point. With the release of this statement, does that mean the motoring public can still drive along Stage 3 after 5:00 PM today?

If that's the case, then it's good news for those who frequent the recently opened expressway. Either way, it's looking like a “he says, she says” kind of deal since both parties aired their respective sides. After TRB's rebuttal, we'll wait and see what SMC Infrastructure has to say about it.

For now, make the most out of Skyway Stage 3. We'll never know when it might be sealed off. We will be on the look-out for more updates.

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