Communications Secretary Martin Andanar (File photo)
MANILA – Presidential Communications Operations Office (PCOO) Secretary Martin Andanar on Monday lauded the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) for recently completing the Tarlac-Pangasinan-La Union Expressway (TPLEX) project.
During the Network Briefing News, Andanar said travelers can finally enjoy more convenient and faster journey to provinces in the Ilocos Region.
“I congratulate si Secretary Mark Villar sa kanyang walang kapagurang trabaho (I congratulate Secretary Mark Villar for his tireless endeavors),” he said.
Andanar is expected to join the opening ceremony of the expressway on Wednesday (July 15).
DPWH spokesperson Anna Mae Lamentillo said the agency is enthusiastic to showcase the newly completed “Build, Build, Build” project to the public.
“Because of this infrastructure, mas mapapabilis po yung travel time mula po Manila to Baguio ng 3 hours na lang po yan, and papunta pong La Union, 3.5 hours na lang (Because of this infrastructure, we will have faster travel time from Manila to Baguio City — only 3 hours — and going to La Union will only take 3.5 hours),” she said.
The 88-kilometer road project implemented by DPWH will be operated and maintained by private concessionaire San Miguel Corporation’s Private Infrastructure Development Corporation, with tollway exits in La Paz in Tarlac City; Victoria, Gerona, Paniqui, and Moncada in Tarlac; Rosales, Urdaneta City and Pozorrubio in Pangasinan; and Rosario in La Union.
More Covid-19 labs
In the same news briefing, the Office of the Presidential Assistant for the Visayas Assistant Secretary Jonji Gonzales also gave updates on the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) response in Visayas.
Gonzales said more Covid-19 molecular diagnostic laboratories will be open in different regions in Visayas, especially now that most of its communities are encouraging tourism-related activities to stimulate their economy.
“Ito ay paghahanda ng tourism sa pagbubukas ng tourism in this part of the country,” he said, noting Visayas is the epicenter of the tourism industry in the country.
He also mentioned the mandate of the Department of Transportation (DOTr) to establish dedicated laboratories in provinces where there will be expected entry of tourists. (PCOO PR)
