MANILA, Philippines — Extending the Tarlac-Pangasinan-La Union Expressway (TPLEx) will result in greater economic activity in Luzon, just as it did when the four-lane highway first opened in 2013, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. said on Wednesday.
During the presentation of the signed concession agreement between the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) and San Miguel Holdings Corporation (SMHC) on Wednesday, Marcos said the project is proof of the administration’s commitment to progress.
Currently, TPLEx runs from Tarlac City to Rosario in La Union. With the extension, the expressway would reach San Juan, La Union and significantly decrease travel time between the two La Union towns.
“The TPLEx Extension Project exemplifies our dedication to progress, the extension of our dreams, and the opportunities we want to give to our people. This almost 60-kilometer, four-lane toll road, which will cost over P23 billion, will extend the present terminals of the TPLEx from Rosario to San Juan in La Union,” Marcos said during the program in Malacañang.
“We expect this extension to generate an even greater flurry of activity in Luzon. Once finished, this extension will reduce the travel time between Rosario and San Juan from the current 90-minute travel time to about 40 minutes, resulting in smoother and safer journeys for those who wish to go to La Union and the Ilocos and Cordillera regions,” he added.
Marcos also said the northern parts of Luzon would not be the only beneficiaries of the TPLEx extension, as it would also result in the faster delivery of goods to and from Southern Luzon.
“Aside from bringing in tourists and economic activities more quickly to the northern part of the country, it will also bring resources and food faster to the southern parts of Luzon,” he said.
“So we also expect it to forge value-adding partnerships among agriculture, industry, and tourism enterprises in the area as it links vital regional corridors and hubs. This will, of course, generate a significant number of decent jobs and more opportunities for all,” he added.
San Miguel Corporation (SMC), which manages TPLEx, first offered to extend the expressway to San Juan in 2018, through an unsolicited proposal.
READ: SMC offers to extend TPLEx
The project, estimated to be worth P23 billion, will be divided into three phases.
Last January, the Public-Private Partnership (PPP) Center of the Philippines assured the public that the TPLEx extension project is proceeding as scheduled.
READ: TPLEx Extension project on track, says PPP Center
Marcos appealed to SMHC to complete the project within the timeframe to ensure that the benefits of the TPLEx extension would be maximized.
“All stakeholders can expect that this government and its entire machinery will provide the necessary support to complete this venture. In turn, I appeal to San Miguel Holdings Corporation to complete the TPLEx Extension Segment 1 by 2028, and all other sections as scheduled to ensure that every person involved in this project, whether in the office or in the construction zone, will work with determination and integrity day in and day out,” he said.
“As I said earlier, Build Better More is more than just a tagline. Just as this project is more than another item to add to our list of accomplishments, it is a chance for each of us to build a Bagong Pilipinas that will bring comfort and prosperity to our people and the generations to come,” he added.
SMC chairman and chief executive officer Ramon Ang, who was present during the event, assured Marcos that the conglomerate will continue to support the government’s projects.
“Mr. President, your visionary leadership has been instrumental in bringing this project to life. And for that, we are deeply grateful to you, Mr. President. We wish to thank DPWH Secretary (Manuel) Bonoan and Secretary, NEDA Secretary (Arsenio) Balisacan for their unwavering support and dedication to this initiative,” Ang said.
“We are truly proud to be part of this endeavor and we remain committed to investing in the future of our country, creating jobs, driving innovation, and developing projects that will leave lasting legacy for generations to come,” he added.