MANILA -- President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr. on Wednesday received the signed concession agreement for the Tarlac-Pangasinan-La Union Expressway (TPLEX) Extension Project in a presentation ceremony in Malacañang.

The agreement was signed last July 3 by the DPWH as the grantor and San Miguel Corporation as the concessionaire.

San Miguel Corporation Chairman and chief executive officer Ramon Ang said the extension project will add another 60 kilometers bringing the total length of TPLEX to 150 kilometers and will cut travel time from Rosario to San Juan, La Union from 1.5 hours to about half an hour.   

He said the extension project builds upon the success of TPLEX “which has already significantly improved travel time between Ilocos and Cordillera region, Central Luzon, and Metro Manila. 

“This four-lane toll road connecting Rosario to San Juan, La Union represents our commitment to developing infrastructure that meets both current and future needs, driving economic growth and ensuring better quality of life for many Filipinos,” Ang said.

Marcos lauded the project, which costs over P23 billion, for its role in bringing in tourists and economic activities, and faster delivery of resources and food. 

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He also thanked San Miguel Holdings Corporation for being a “steadfast partner of the government,” appealing to San Miguel to complete the TPLEX Extension Segment 1 by 2028 “and all other sections as scheduled.” 

DPWH Secretary Manuel Bonoan said the TPLEX extension project will foster regional integration, attract investments, stimulate local business, and make the regions more accessible to tourists as it promotes economic growth, job creation, and the tourism sector.

“The TPLEX extension project is set to support the growing economy and the burgeoning tourism industry of Northern Luzon,” Bonoan said.