MANILA: President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on Wednesday expressed optimism about the economic gains that the recently greenlighted Tarlac-Pangasinan-La Union Expressway (TPLEX) Extension Project will provide the country. Speaking at the signing of the concession agreement for the Tarlac-Pangasinan-La Union Expressway or TPLEX Extension Project, Marcos said the project will usher further economic development in northern Luzon. 'With the signed Concession Agreement for the Tarlac-Pangasinan-La Union Expressway or TPLEX Extension Project, we are now witnessing another milestone that brings into fruition the Build Better More infrastructure program,' Marcos said. 'The TPLEX Extension Project exemplifies our dedication to progress, the extension of our dreams, and the opportunities we want to give to our people,' he said. Spanning 59.4 kilometers, the TPLEX extension project is a four-lane toll road with five interchanges starting from the last exit of the TPLEX in Rosario, La Union until San Juan, La Union. O nce completed, this PHP23.36-billion Public-Private Partnership (PPP) between the Department of Public Works and Highways and San Miguel Holdings Corp. is expected to reduce travel time between Rosario and San Juan from the current 1.5-hour travel time to around 40 minutes. Aside from bringing in tourists and economic activities more quickly to the northern part of the country, Marcos said the project will also bring resources and food faster to the southern parts of Luzon. 'So, we also expect [it] to forge value-adding partnerships among agriculture, industry, and tourism enterprises in the area as it links vital regional corridors and hubs. This will, of course, generate a significant number of decent jobs and more opportunities for all,' he said. The Chief Executive lauded San Miguel Corp. for remaining the government's partner in advancing development even as he called on the timely completion of all the project's segments. 'I appeal to [the] San Miguel Holdings Corporation to complete the TPLEX Exten sion Segment 1 by 2028 and all other sections as scheduled, [and] to ensure that every person involved in this project - whether in the office or in the construction zone - will work with determination and integrity, day in and day out,' he said. Source: Philippines News Agency