It currently takes over two hours to travel from Lingayen to Binalonan, depending on traffic.
But once the Pangasinan Link Expressway (PLEX), a project of the Guico III administration, is completed, the trip will be reduced to just half an hour.
This is one of the projects promised by Governor Ramon Monmon Guico III when he was still running for governor.
In March, the groundbreaking ceremony for the expressway was held in the town of Laoac.
The PLEX is valued at 34 billion pesos.
All funds will come from San Miguel Corporation (SMC), which has partnered with the provincial government.
“We intend to complete the Pangasinan Link Expressway. That’s a commitment from SMC. Right now, we are in the alignment study and are about to start acquiring the road right of way,” said Governor Ramon V. Guico III.
Although no funds will be spent by the provincial government of Pangasinan for PLEX, the province will still have a share of its earnings.
After thirty-five years, PLEX will completely become the property of Pangasinan.
Besides faster travel times, the expressway will also boost the province’s economy and tourism.
It will also lead to more establishments that can provide jobs for Pangasinenses.
On October 19, 2023, Governor Ramon Guico III and San Miguel Corporation President and CEO Ramon signed the said agreement.
In addition to the Lingayen to Binalonan route, the project also aims to connect Western and Eastern Pangasinan in the coming years.
**VALERIE ANN DISMAYA