SMC, Pangasinan to put up new expressway

San Miguel Corporation, in partnership with the local government unit (LGU) of Pangasinan will put a new expressway in the country.

To be called the Pangasinan Link Expressway (PLEX), the road project will span 76.80 kilometers that will start from the Tarlac-Pangasinan-La Union Expressway (TPLEX) exit in Binalonan.

Per SMC, the partnership — formed through the signing of a toll concession and joint venture agreement (JVA) with the aforementioned LGU — in line with its goal of boosting the road networks in Central and Northern Luzon. It is also eyed to link the province with the soon-to-open New Manila International Airport (NMIA) in Bulacan.

“We are grateful to the Pangasinan provincial government for their passion and commitment to boost Pangasinense life through this landmark project. More than just building a major infrastructure project, we have an opportunity to improve the lives of so many of our countrymen here,” SMC President and Chief Executive Officer Ramon Ang said.

“With PLEX connecting to other infrastructure such as TPLEX, which will support access to the NMIA, this project will significantly benefit Pangasinan’s local industries, home-grown products, and agricultural sector. At the same time, the rich history, culture, and cuisine of the province will be even more accessible to more Filipinos,” the SMC chief executive added.

To be formed in two phases, the PLEX project initial segment will be 42.76-km long (from TPLEX to Lingayen), and the second portion to be extended to Alaminos, Pangasinan.

The first phase, SMC explained, will have three parts: the 6.90-km section from Binalonan to Manaoag, followed by an 11.30-km section from Manaoag to Calasiao, and the the 22.17-km sector from Calasiao to Lingayen. A 2.39-km spur road will also be built in Calasiao.

Meanwhile, the second phase will be a demand-driven expansion all the way to Alaminos, Pangasinan.

Pangasinan Governor Ramon Guico III said that the newly-inked project will help boost economic activity in the province and unlock growth in different parts of Pangasinan. “Through the PLEX, we shall have a very systematic approach in navigating Pangasinan, creating a roadmap never before imagined possible for our province,” Guico stated.

According to him, the project starting phase will cut down travel time from Binalonan to Lingayen to 20-30 minutes from the current one hour and 30 minutes or more.

“PLEX is one of the most important projects, a game-changer for Pangasinan and for this administration. This is because it is envisioned to reinvent the transportation and enrich the tourism landscape; prioritize accessibility of citizens to major towns and cities, magnify business and livelihood opportunities, multiply economic activity, build more infrastructure, and protect the environment,” he added.

For his part, Pangasinan Vice Governor Mark Lambino claimed that the forging of the agreements will establish a “better, safer road network not only in Pangasinan, but the entire Ilocos region,” saying that the pact is serves a testament to the shared commitment towards nation-building.

“We express our gratitude to San Miguel Corporation led by its visionary president and chief executive officer Mr. Ramon S. Ang for extending his hand to enter into this joint venture agreement with Pangasinan,” Lambino furthered.

Additionally, SMC stated that PLEX will stimulate economic activity in the province as it will bridge the province's east and west corridors.

SMC will shoulder the construction costs, with zero expense for national or provincial governments — with the LGU set to receive a substantial share of the project's earnings.

Photos from San Miguel Corporation

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