{"data":{"news":{"items":[{"title":"Philippines’ new PLEX expressway to be built in two phases; boosting connectivity in Central and Northern Luzon","date":"2023-11-19 00:01:04","id":4980,"author":"","blurb":"","blurb_image_uid":"https://dxfpracgmlczp.cloudfront.net/2023/11/1700292188260_SMC-Philippines.jpg","blurb_expanded_image_uid":null,"article":"\n\t\n\n\n

San Miguel Corporation (SMC) and the local government of Pangasinan have signed a toll concession and joint venture agreement for the new 76.80-km Pangasinan Link Expressway (PLEX) in the Philippines.

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The project, which will begin at the Tarlac-Pangasinan-La Union Expressway (TPLEX) exit in Binalonan, is part of SMC’s larger plan to strengthen the road networks in Central and Northern Luzon. It also aims to provide a seamless link to the soon-to-be-launched New Manila International Airport (NMIA) in Bulacan.

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PLEX will be built in two phases: Phase 1 will extend 42.76 km from TPLEX to Lingayen, while Phase 2 will extend all the way to Alaminos, Pangasinan.

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Phase 1 will be split into three segments, including the first 6.90-km section from Binalonan to Manaoag, followed by an 11.30-km section from Manaoag to Calasiao, and then a 22.17-km section from Calasiao to Lingayen. A 2.39-km spur road will also be built in Calasiao.

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“With PLEX connecting to other infrastructure such as TPLEX, which will support access to the NMIA, this project will significantly benefit Pangasinan’s local industries, home-grown products, and agricultural sector. At the same time, the rich history, culture, and cuisine of the province will be even more accessible to more Filipinos,” said Ramon S. Ang, president and CEO of SMC.

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“Through PLEX, we shall have a very systematic approach in navigating Pangasinan, creating a roadmap never before imagined possible for our province,” said Ramon V. Guico III, Governor of Pangasinan, adding that Phase 1 of the project would reduce travel time from Binalonan to Lingayen to just 20-30 minutes from the current 90-105 minutes.

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Mr V. Guico III further pointed out that “PLEX is one of the most important projects, a game-changer for Pangasinan and for this administration. This is because it is envisioned to reinvent the transportation and enrich the tourism landscape; prioritise accessibility of citizens to major towns and cities, magnify business and livelihood opportunities, multiply economic activity, build more infrastructure, and protect the environment.”

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According to SMC, the company will shoulder the construction costs, with zero expense for national or provincial governments.

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Image: San Miguel Corporation

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San Miguel Corporation (SMC) has unveiled a conceptual masterplan for its massive, green-designed, and future-ready aerocity development in Bulacan province, envisioned as the “pacesetter” and model for green urbanism in the Philippines.

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The project is seen as a major boost to both national and local economies as it will complement SMC’s PHP740-billion New Manila International Airport (NMIA) development.

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SMC’s president and CEO Ramon S. Ang revealed that the aerocity designs, carried out by architecture firm Palafox Associates, reflect the vision of a modern Philippine city that provides built-in solutions to various socio-economic, environmental, and climate issues, and correct the mistakes seen in many urban developments of Metro Manila.

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SMC tapped the firm, headed by the country’s top urban planner and green architect, Felino ‘Jun’ Palafox Jr, to masterplan the airport-driven city concept.

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“These designs presented to us by Architect Palafox and his team will be close to actual. There will probably be some adjustments by the time we implement, and we will still continue to improve as needed, but in terms of the overall concept, design, and the features, this is it,” said Mr Ang.

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“It’s very fortunate that when we sat down with Architect Jun Palafox for this project, we had the same vision that the airport and aerocity projects should be sustainably built, geared towards the future, and address social and environmental concerns that have beset our existing cities, including the country’s major financial districts. With Architect Palafox’s help, all of this can be done.”

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‘Sustainability in mind’

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Mr Ang underscored that the aerocity development addresses many of the problems experienced in Metro Manila today. It is designed, and will be built, with sustainability in mind. It will be properly zoned, with areas dedicated to agriculture and food production, logistics, health and wellness, aeronautics, finance, science and technology, commerce, residences, education, tourism, entertainment, recreation, and government among others.

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It will utilise renewable energy, and will accommodate both traditional and alternative modes of transportation, as well as promote active and healthier lifestyles, added Mr Ang.

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The airport city design will adopt green architectural and green urbanism guidelines over and above the country’s building and zoning codes, and follow structural codes of other countries similarly situated in earthquake zones like the Philippines.

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Furthermore, the aerocity development will have ample open spaces and incorporate the latest in digital infrastructure. It will feature easily accessible public transport systems, including mass transit systems, bicycle highways, as well as a waterfront area with landscaped walkways and promenades.

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Mr Ang stressed that SMC is fully committed to completing the massive projects, which it will fully fund with no guarantees or subsidies from government, to help boost the country’s post-pandemic economy and improve the lives of more Filipinos by boosting various industries and creating millions of quality jobs nationwide.

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SMC’s 2,500-ha NMIA project will initially feature four parallel runways, a world-class terminal, and a modern and interlinked infrastructure network that includes expressways and railways.

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“While we need to fast-track the completion of this airport and aerocity to help ease travel congestion and aid in the country’s recovery with more jobs and opportunities for more Filipinos, we are mindful that we need to do this the right way and with a vision for a sustainable future. That is why we tapped Architect Palafox for this project,” said Mr Ang.

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All images: Palafox/SMC

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Philippine conglomerate San Miguel Corporation (SMC) recently broke ground on the 19.37-km Pasig River Expressway (PAREX) project, which is touted to be the country’s first green, hybrid expressway.

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Once operational, it will link the eastern and western cities of Metro Manila and will connect to the Skyway system - realising the vision of an integrated elevated road network that links the north, south, east, and west corridors of the capital, said the company in its statement.

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The project, a P95-billion investment by SMC, is a six-lane elevated expressway that will run along the banks of the river, from Radial Road 10 in Manila to C-6 Road or the South East Metro Manila Expressway (SEMME) in Taguig.

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“I believe this project is bound to be one of the most impactful projects during the time of President Rodrigo Duterte, in terms of integrating the social, economic, and environmental needs of our people. I’m very proud that we have this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to provide an inclusive, future-ready solution to traffic,” said Ramon S. Ang, president of SMC.

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“We thank government and especially the Build Build Build team, for allowing us to deliver another game-changing infrastructure, to help ease traffic, boost our economy, and improve the lives of so many Filipinos in Metro Manila.”

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Secretary of the Philippines’ Department of Transportation (DOTr), Arthur Tugade, said, “We are happy because we have a project like this connecting north to south and east to west. Never has this connectivity been thought of, and now it is being implemented. The DOTr fully supports this project because I know it is good for the people and the environment.”

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According to Mr Ang, PAREX will be built to accommodate more than just motor vehicles. It will feature a bus rapid transit (BRT) system that can benefit commuters all over Metro Manila, as they will have a “comfortable, safe, and reliable alternative to commuting anywhere in the metro.”

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The expressway will also have dedicated bike lanes, continued Mr Ang, “to encourage healthy, environment-friendly modes of personal transportation, as well as pedestrian walkways to encourage walking or exercise.”

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Executive Secretary of the Philippines, Salvador Medialdea, commented, “This 19.37 km six-lane road will definitely ease traffic in Manila. This was just a dream before, but now it’s becoming a reality. PAREX will be a gateway for the future of urban transport and will address the needs of urban living in today’s environment.”

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The Philippines’ Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Undersecretary for planning and PPP service, Maria Catalina Cabral, also highlighted that the project will be significant as it will serve as the east-west connection from R-10 in Manila all the way to Taytay, Rizal.

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“It will complete the network of expressways within Metro Manila area and will provide a solution to the growing traffic problem within the metropolis. The travel time from Manila to Pasig will be reduced to just about 15 to 20 minutes, once this project is finished,” said Ms Cabral.

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‘Not just an ordinary highway’

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In a separate statement earlier, SMC announced that PAREX will be purposely-built around green architecture and engineering principles, with sustainability as its key driver.

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“PAREX is not just an ordinary highway. It will be the first privately-funded road network in the country that combines sustainability features with the functionality of a safe and efficient transport infrastructure that the country is sorely lacking in,” said the company.

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SMC did not mention a timeline for the project yet, but it is planned to have three major segments. The first one (Segment 1) will cover the section from R-10 to Plaza Azul, Manila; Segment 2 from Pandacan to C-5; and Segment 3 from C-5 to C-6. PAREX will also connect to, and utilise a 2.7-km portion of the new Skyway Stage 3 from Nagtahan to Plaza Azul.

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Mr Ang further revealed that SMC is engaging the internationally-renowned architect, environment planner, and green urbanism advocate Arch. Felino Palafox Jr. to help in building the PAREX project. Arch. Palafox, regarded as the country’s top green urban planner, brings with him decades of experience master-planning some 1,700 projects in 45 countries.

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“Traffic congestion is a critical sustainability issue, especially in Metro Manila,” explained Mr Ang. “Traffic increases the amount of harmful emissions from vehicles stuck for hours in traffic, drains economic resources, and affects people’s health. The PAREX project will ensure it does not only benefit motorists, but more importantly people and the environment.”

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He added, “We can anticipate a future where perhaps many vehicles are electric. But regardless of what vehicles run on, expressways can adapt and serve their purpose of decongesting traffic, and making private and public transport more efficient. Combined with other ongoing road and rail projects, PAREX will enable us to keep up with the demands of economic development, population growth and the need to protect the environment.”

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Image: San Miguel Corporation

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