No. of :

No. of Shares:

Currently viewed by: Marcus Rosit

PLEX seen to boost economic growth in Pangasinan

LINGAYEN, Pangasinan (PIA) -- The provincial government of Pangasinan is optimistic about the economic boost to be brought by the implementation of the 42.76 - kilometer (km) four-year Pangasinan Link Expressway (PLEX) project.



This is after Pangasinan Governor Ramon Guico III signed on Thursday the joint venture agreement and tollway concession agreements with San Miguel Holdings Corporation (SMHC) President and Chief Executive Officer Ramon Ang for the implementation of the expressway project that will connect the western and eastern parts of the province.


Governor Guico said, “The project is a game-changer for Pangasinan as it is envisioned to reinvent transportation and enrich the tourism landscape, prioritizing accessibility of citizens to major towns and cities, magnifying business and livelihood opportunities, multiplying economic activities, building more infrastructures, facilitating province-wide travel, and protecting the province’s environmental resources.”


“This started as a dream years ago. So it was a challenge but after a year and four months, today, we realized that dream. We actualized the partnership that our province has nurtured and treasured with San Miguel Corporation,” Guico said.


Once the project is completed, the governor said it will provide shorter travel time for tourists, residents, and transporters from Binalonan to Lingayen for Phase I and Lingayen to Alaminos City for Phase II.

Pangasinan Governor Ramon Guico III and SMHC President and CEO Ramon Ang present to the public the signed joint venture agreement and tollway concession agreements of the Pangasinan Link Expressway (PLEX) project. (photo by Odie Mamaril III/PIA Pangaisnan)

“For Phase I of the project, travel time from Binalonan town to Lingayen would be about 20-30 minutes from one hour to 30-45 minutes,” he said.


The segments of the project will be from Binalonan to Manaoag, 6.9 km; Manaoag to Calasiao, 11.3 km; Calasiao spur, 2.39 km; and Calasiao to Lingayen, 22.7 km.


Meanwhile, Ang said the PLEX project will commence after the provincial government has completed the facilitation of the acquisition of road right of way.


“Itong project na ito ay P34 billion. At no cost to the government, no government subsidy, or guarantee and yet San Miguel will give Pangasinan 70% sharing,” he said, adding that SMHC invested in Pangasinan as it is one of the most progressive provinces of Luzon.


He added that after 35 years of operation, SMHC will transfer the whole project to the provincial government.

Department of Tourism (DOT) Ilocos Regional Director Joseph Francisco Ortega commended the project as it will further boost the tourism industry of the Ilocos Region.


“Sobrang sikat dito (Western Pangasinan) pero ang karamihan ng turista natin na manggagaling ng Manila napapagod pa dahil from TPLEX (Tarlac–Pangasinan–La Union Expressway) umabot pa ng two to three hours ang biyahe. So with this project (PLEX), maka-cut short na ang biyahe ng mga tao. Kaya gustong gusto po natin ito sa tourism, kasi we can invite more people to come here,” Ortega said. 


Ortega also assured that DOT is prepared for the development, as they are looking to further develop the tourism activities in western Pangasinan that will spur great opportunities for the tourism sector.


Western Pangasinan is already known for its tourist spots, such as the Hundred Islands National Park and Mangrove Eco Park in Alaminos City, bird watching activity at Bangrin Marine Protected Area in Bani town, rock formations such as the Umbrella Rock of Agno, Giant Clam Nursery, Enchanted Cave  and falls in Bolinao town, and the white sand beaches of its coasts, among others. (JCR/AMB/MJTAB/EMSA/PIA Pangasinan)

About the Author

Elsha Marie Arguel

Information Officer II

Region 1

Information Officer II assigned at PIA Pangasinan located in Dagupan City

Feedback / Comment

Get in touch