SMC President and CEO Ramon S. Ang, Pangasinan Governor Ramon V. Guico III, Pangasinan Vice Governor Mark Ronald D.G Lambino, and Congressman Ramon N. Guico, Jr. lead the groundbreaking ceremony for the Pangasinan Link Expressway (P-LEX). This 76.80-km project, fully funded by SMC, will connect the eastern and western sides of the province, making transportation more efficient and boosting economic activity. The P-LEX will also connect to the Tarlac-Pangasinan-La Union Expressway (TPLEX), providing a seamless link to the future New Manila International Airport in Bulacan.

MANILA — San Miguel Corporation (SMC), in partnership with the Pangasinan Provincial Government, has initiated the groundbreaking ceremony for the much-anticipated Pangasinan Link Expressway (P-LEX) at a site spanning Binalonan and Laoac towns.

The project is seen to further unlock the province’s economic potential through improved accessibility and mobility.

SMC President and CEO, Ramon S. Ang, described the 76.80-km expressway project as a game-changer for Pangasinan that is seen to boost local industries, agriculture, and tourism by linking the province’s eastern and western corridors.

“The P-LEX project affirms SMC’s affinity with and deep commitment to Pangasinan. We believe in the bigger potential of the province and its people, and that is why we continue to invest here. We look forward to continuing our strong partnership, and with the help and support of the provincial government, creating more jobs, livelihood, and business opportunities in the province,” he added.

The project is structured in two phases, with the first phase linking Binalonan to Lingayen, the provincial capital. This phase is subdivided into three segments — a 6.90-km section from Binalonan to Manaoag, an 11.30-km stretch from Manaoag to Calasiao, and a 22.17-km passage from Calasiao to Lingayen, along with a 2.39-km spur road in Calasiao. Phase 2 of the project will be a demand-driven expansion to Alaminos, Pangasinan.

P-LEX will connect to the Tarlac-Pangasinan-La Union Expressway (TPLEX) at the Binalonan exit, providing direct access to the New Manila International Airport in Bulacan.

Ang reassured that the construction of P-LEX would incur no costs for the provincial government, committing to timely completion pending the acquisition of the necessary right of way.

“The Provincial Government will also receive a substantial share of the project’s earnings, which it can use to provide more social services to our kababayans,” Ang said.

He thanked the Pangasinan provincial government led by Governor Ramon V. Guico III and Vice Governor Mark Ronald D.G. Lambino, for the opportunity to work together on the P-LEX project.

“This collaboration between the Provincial Government of Pangasinan and the private sector is proof that when people work together toward a common goal, anything is possible,” Ang said.

(el Amigo/MNM)

By Junex Doronio

CONCERNED THAT ONE OF EVERY THREE FILIPINO children are undernourished, Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Benhur Abalos has urged local government units (LGUs) to focus on the health and nutrition of children.

Abalos on Sunday made the call as he noted that November marks the 31st National Children’s Month (NCM).

“Dapat nating tutukan ang nutrisyon. Isa sa bawat tatlong Pilipinong bata ay undernourished, apektado ang kanilang brain development. Once na apektado ang utak ng bata sa first 1,000 days, mahihirapan na silang makabawi, apektado ang pag-aaral ng bata. Kaya ito ay pagtulungan natin,” Abalos said in a statement.

Abalos in his DILG Memorandum Circular (MC) No. 2023-152, directed the provincial, city, municipal, and barangay LGUs to spearhead and support various activities aligned with the month-long NCM celebration with the theme “Healthy, Nourished, Sheltered: Ensuring the Right to Life for All.”

Abalos said the recommended weekly activities shall be anchored on survival rights for the first week, developmental rights for the second week, participation rights and National Play Advocacy Week in the third week, and protection rights week or juvenile justice and welfare consciousness week in the fourth week.

On the issue of “bloodless anti-drug war” and recognizing the pivotal role of children and youth in the government’s priority campaign against illegal drugs, Abalos also encouraged the youth to be active partners for the Buhay Ingatan, Droga Ayawan (BIDA) holistic advocacy campaign.

Meanwhile, during the “DILG sa DZRH” radio TV program, Abalos asked the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Undersecretary and Council for the Welfare of Children (CWC) Executive Director Angelo M. Tapales to work with the DILG in addressing the perennial problem of child beggars on the city streets, especially with the upcoming Christmas season.

(ai/mnm)

NINETEEN days of volleyball action gets center stage in November with the Philippine National Volleyball Federation’s (PNVF) Challenge Cup at the Rizal Memorial Coliseum.

Nine men’s teams and six women’s squads—all local government unit (LGU)-based- have so far confirmed their participation in the PNVF’s penultimate tournament for the 2023 calendar.

“The Challenge Cup gives LGUs the opportunity to have their own volleyball programs and we’re looking forward to discover unpolished talents through this tournament,” PNVF president Ramon “Tats” Suzara said.

The target is 16 teams for each gender with a total of 64 matches set to be played from November 6 to 9 and 13 to 23.

The first eight days of competition are the elimination round among the teams divided in four pools.

Already confirmed for the men’s tournament are Plaridel (Quezon), Davao City, Orion and Dinalupihan (Bataan), University of Batangas, VNS, Arellano University and Alpha Omega Elite.

In the women’s side, they are Davao City, Parañaque City, De La Salle University- Dasmariñas, University of Batangas, Arellano University and San Pedro City, Laguna.

The Challenge Cup precedes the culminating Volleyball World Beach Pro Tour Challenge which features the world’s top beach volleyball teams set later in November in Santa Rosa, Laguna.

The PNVF then kicks off its 2024 calendar with the Champions League in February.

(AI/MNM)

Image Courtesy of: House of Representative

HOUSE Speaker Ferdinand Martin G. Romualdez on Friday called upon the Department of Health (DoH) and local government units (LGUs) to provide assistance to individuals affected by the volcanic smog, known as vog, originating from Taal Volcano.

He emphasized the importance of helping residents in areas surrounding Taal Volcano, such as Batangas, Cavite, Laguna, and even Metro Manila, in dealing with this temporary issue.

Speaker Romualdez urged the DoH and LGUs to distribute N95 face masks and other protective gear to those affected.

He mentioned that Deputy Majority Leader Erwin Tulfo informed him that the DoH still has an ample supply of N95 face masks acquired during the Covid-19 pandemic.

In order to shield affected residents from volcanic dust and harmful gases, Speaker Romualdez made this request to the DoH through Ako Bicol Partylist Rep. Zaldy Co, who chairs the House Committee on Appropriations.

He suggested that if face masks are currently unavailable, residents could consider using makeshift face coverings such as cloth.

The leader of the 311-member House of Representatives also called upon the DoH and LGUs to be prepared for potential respiratory issues that may arise due to volcanic smog in the affected regions. He recommended prepositioning drugs for respiratory ailments in areas where they might be needed.

Reports on Thursday indicated that haze from Taal Volcano’s emissions had spread over Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, and Metro Manila, leading to the suspension of classes.

The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) and the air monitoring office of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) later clarified that the observed smog originated from vehicle emissions rather than from Taal Volcano. Phivolcs noted that Taal’s emissions were drifting west-westward, away from Metro Manila.