BY: VALERIE ANN DISMAYA
San Miguel Corporation has allocated billions for the construction of the Pangasinan Link Expressway (PLEX), a project that aims to ease travel, promote economic activity, and support development across the province.
Touted as one of the biggest infrastructure projects in Pangasinan’s history, PLEX is a joint venture between the provincial government and San Miguel Corporation, under the leadership of Governor Ramon V. Guico III.
The expressway will span 76 kilometers and be completed in two phases. Phase 1 will run from the Tarlac-Pangasinan-La Union Expressway (TPLEX) in Binalonan to Lingayen, covering 42.76 kilometers.
Phase 2 will extend from Lingayen to Alaminos City.
The entire project is valued at 34 billion pesos.
Governor Guico emphasized that the construction of the expressway will not use funds from the provincial government, though it will benefit from the project’s income.
“Through the Pangasinan Link Expressway, we shall have a very systematic and comprehensive approach in navigating through Pangasinan,” said Guico. “We’re creating a road map never before imagined for our beloved province.”
Among those directly benefiting from the project is Normelyn Orallo, a park attendant at the Pangasinan capitol.
“I wake up at 4 AM just to prepare everything and make it to work on time without being late,” she said.
Normelyn’s current commute from Binalonan to Lingayen takes up to two hours and requires five transfers.
Once the PLEX is completed, her travel time could be reduced to just 30 minutes.
With the expressway underway, the provincial government hopes to create a faster, easier, and more progressive future for every Pangasinense.
