Metro Pacific Investments Corp. (MPIC), the country’s top infrastructure investment firm, has named Gilbert Gabriel F. Santa Maria as the new president and chief executive officer of Metro Pacific Tollways Corp, (MPTC), effective 1 September 2025.
Santa Maria succeeded Jose Maria K. Lim, who served as interim president to stabilize MPTC’s leadership. Lim will remain on the company’s board as a director for MPTC, MPIC, and their affiliates.
In his new role, Santa Maria will spearhead MPTC’s growth strategy, focusing on expanding its toll road network across the Philippines, Indonesia, and Vietnam. His leadership will prioritize enhancing customer service and optimizing operations to benefit millions of motorists and commuters.
Santa Maria brings over 30 years of experience in corporate governance, financial restructuring, and large-scale operations. He previously served as president and chief operating officer of Philippine Airlines, where he led the airline through a successful restructuring during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Additionally, MPTC announced leadership changes in other key areas. Luis Reñon will become the president and general Manager of NLEX Corp., while Andrew Pangilinan of Metro Pacific Water will also take on the role of president and general manager of MPT South, which operates CAVITEX and CALAX. Marisa Conde, vice president for technical finance at MPIC, will join MPTC as interim chief finance officer.
MPTC is the Philippines’ largest toll road developer and operator, managing major expressways like NLEX, SCTEX, CAVITEX, CALAX, and CCLEX. The company continues to expand its footprint in Southeast Asia, overseeing toll road operations in Indonesia and Vietnam.
