Urdaneta to Lingayen in less than 30 minutes, magiging posible na!

On Monday, July 10, the provincial government in LINGAYEN, Pangasinan, accepted the offer from San Miguel Holdings Corp. (SMHC) to construct an expressway that will connect the eastern and western towns of Pangasinan. During a press conference, Governor Ramon Guico 3rd announced that the project would begin in his hometown of Binalonan and extend to the capital town of Lingayen. Guico emphasized that this development is crucial for stimulating the province's growth and improving accessibility by land, air, and sea.

To move forward with the project, the Sangguniang Panlalawigan (SP) authorized Governor Guico to sign a joint venture agreement and a tollway concession agreement with SMHC. During the regular session, Governor Guico personally requested the authority.

The expressway project, known as the Pangasinan Link Expressway (PLEx), is estimated to span 42.76 kilometers and cost P34 billion. It is expected to be completed within four years. Governor Guico emphasized that the provincial government would not bear any expenses for the project, making it a favorable arrangement. Upon completion, the PLEx will significantly reduce travel time from Binalonan to Lingayen, cutting it down from 1 hour and 40 minutes to just 20 to 30 minutes.

The PLEx will be divided into several segments: Binalonan to Manaoag (6.9 km), Manaoag to Calasiao (11.3 km), Calasiao spur (2.39 km), and Calasiao to Lingayen (22.7 km). After 35 years, the entire project will be handed over to the Pangasinan province, as stated by Governor Guico.

The governor mentioned that the expressway was initially promised during his political campaign, and upon assuming office, efforts were made to seek potential investors and partners, both domestic and international. Among the interested parties, SMHC was the only company to submit a complete unsolicited joint venture proposal for the expressway project to the provincial government. SMHC built the Tarlac-Pangasinan-La Union expressway, which spans the provinces of Tarlac, Pangasinan, and La Union.

Aside from connecting different parts of the province, Governor Guico highlighted that the provincial government would also share in the revenues generated by the expressway. The province will receive five percent of toll revenues and commercial development from the expressway and will be entitled to 30 percent of earnings before tax once the project exceeds a 10 percent internal rate of return. If the project surpasses a 12 percent internal rate of return, the province's share will increase to 70 percent of earnings before tax.

Governor Guico revealed that the Binalonan-Lingayen segment will be the first phase of the PLEx, with the second phase planned to extend from Lingayen to Alaminos City.