Intent on leaving a legacy of a prosperous Philippines to future generations, RSA continues to work for the betterment of the country
“You really have been a steadfast partner of the government through the years. Let us keep that partnership strong and vibrant.”
This quote from President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. addressed to San Miguel Corporation during the signing of the TPLEx (Tarlac-Pangasinan-La Union Expressway) Extension Concession Agreement is a testament to the conglomerate’s contribution to the country’s development.
It is also a recognition of the importance of government and private sector partnerships in pursuing infrastructure projects.
“With more meaningful public-private partnerships like this, we can pursue and gain more for the benefit of the nation,” the President said.
Part of the government’s efforts towards social and economic transformation is the expansion and upgrade of the infrastructure sector.
The government’s Build Better More program is a major focus under the Bagong Pilipinas campaign launched by the President. With better infrastructure it will be easier, faster and cheaper to transport goods and services.
The TPLEx Extension, one of the projects of the BBM program, stemmed from an unsolicited proposal from San Miguel Holdings Corporation, a subsidiary of SMC.
This is not the first unsolicited proposal from the conglomerate that has passed scrutiny. The ongoing New Manila International Airport in Bulacan and MRT line 7 were also unsolicited proposals carried out by SMC.
“Not only are you embarking on another challenge of turning visions into reality — you are also leading a brilliant example of how the private sector can have a great impact on our country’s development,” the President told SMC during the same event.
The TPLEx extension is a P23.36 billion transport infrastructure project is targeted to commence next year. and stretches 59.4 km.
It is a four-lane toll road that will start from the Rosario, La Union exit of TPLEX and end at San Juan, La Union.
It is divided into these segments: Segment 1 (Rosario to Tubao) 18 km; Segment 2 (Tubao to Naguilian) 23 kms; and Segment 3 (Naguilian to San Juan) 18.4 kms.
The project, which aims to promote the development of Northern Luzon and facilitate connectivity to Central Luzon and Metro Manila, will also contribute to economic growth.
Travel time between Rosario and San Juan will be reduced from the current 90 minutes to about 40 minutes.
The operation of all sections of the Tarlac-Pangasinan-La Union Expressway in 2022 provided ease of travel to residents, tourists and logistics.
During the presentation of the signed TPLEx Extension Agreement, SMC Chairman and CEO Don Ramon S. Ang said the project will unlock new opportunities for many Filipinos.
“By enabling faster and more efficient travel, we are fueling economic growth, creating jobs, and boosting trade and tourism in the Ilocos Region.”
A special release by the Philippine Statistics Authority on the 2022 Economic Performance of the Provinces in the Philippines showed among the top 10 provinces in terms of share to the national Gross Domestic Product at constant 2018 prices, four provinces are from Central Luzon and one from Ilocos Region.
Meanwhile, in the list of top 10 fastest-growing provinces in terms of GDP annual growth rate, six are from Luzon.
With the signing of the concession agreement, detailed engineering design and right-of-way acquisition will follow.
Recipient of this year’s ‘Gawad Gat Andres Bonifacio,’ the highest distinction given each year as highlight of the Araw ng Maynila celebration, RSA shared the award with his San Miguel family “who work tirelessly to uplift countless lives not only in Tondo but across Manila and the entire Philippines.”
Intent on leaving a legacy of a prosperous Philippines to future generations, RSA continues to work for the betterment of the country.
Under his leadership, SMC also has investments in the power and energy sector.
A 153.5-megawatt solar power joint venture project of San Miguel Global Light and Power Corp. and Citicore Renewable Energy Corp,.expected to be completed next year, is in Barangay Lucanin, Mariveles, Bataan.
On another note, congratulations to San Miguel Corporation for making it to the top 10 in Fortune Magazine’s inaugural “Southeast Asia 500” list. While there are 38 other Filipino companies in list, only SMC made it to the top 10.
(MTV, book author and publisher, is president and chief executive officer of Media Touchstone Ventures, Inc. and also the president and executive director of the Million Trees Foundation Inc., a non-government outfit advocating tree-planting and environmental protection.)
