In a significant milestone for Pangasinan’s infrastructure development, the groundbreaking ceremony for the Pangasinan Link Expressway (P-Lex) has recently taken place. Spearheaded by San Miguel Corp (SMC) in collaboration with the Pangasinan provincial government, the project aims to enhance the province’s economic landscape by improving accessibility and connectivity.
Spanning 76.80 kilometers and connecting Binalonan and Laoac towns, the P-Lex project is anticipated to be a game-changer for Pangasinan. Ramon S. Ang, the President and CEO of SMC, emphasized the project’s potential to stimulate local industries, agriculture, and tourism by bridging the province’s eastern and western corridors.
“We believe in the bigger potential of the province and its people, and that is why we continue to invest here,” stated Ang, underlining SMC’s commitment to Pangasinan’s development. He expressed optimism about the partnership with the provincial government, foreseeing the creation of more job opportunities and business prospects.
The project is structured into two phases, with the first phase linking Binalonan to Lingayen, the provincial capital. This initial phase comprises three segments, each designed to enhance connectivity within the province. Additionally, Phase 2 of the project is planned as a demand-driven expansion extending to Alaminos, Pangasinan.
P-Lex is strategically designed to intersect with the Tarlac-Pangasinan-La Union Expressway (TPLex) at the Binalonan exit, facilitating direct access to the New Manila International Airport in Bulacan.
Addressing concerns about the project’s financial implications, Ang reassured that the construction of P-Lex would not burden the provincial government, with SMC undertaking the costs. Moreover, he highlighted that the provincial government would receive a significant share of the project’s earnings, which could be allocated to enhance social services for the residents.
Ang expressed gratitude to the Pangasinan provincial government, led by Governor Ramon V. Guico III and Vice Governor Mark Ronald DG Lambino, for their collaborative efforts in realizing the P-Lex project. He emphasized the significance of public-private partnerships in achieving shared developmental goals, emphasizing the potential when stakeholders work together.
The groundbreaking of the Pangasinan Link Expressway marks a pivotal moment for the province, heralding a new era of connectivity and economic progress. With construction underway, anticipation grows for the transformative impact P-Lex will bring to Pangasinan’s communities and industries.
