More north Luzon officials oppose TPLEX realignment

BAGUIO CITY -- More northern Luzon officials expressed opposition to rerouting of Tarlac-Pangasinan-La Union Expressway (TPLEX) saying it would be disadvantageous to motorists as it would pass a longer route aside from the fact that government would have to spend more for construction.

Cordillera officials who have expressed opposition to proposed rerouting were Congressmen Ronald Cosalan of Benguet,  Nicasio Aliping Jr. of Baguio and Mt. Province’s Maximo Dalog, Benguet Gov. Nestor Fongwan, and Vice Gov. Nelson Dangwa.

Despite this, construction is underway despite conflict between Cosalan, who led opposition to rerouting and former Pangasinan Rep. Mark Cojuanco on whether the original program of work would be followed.

Cojuangco had urged the government to follow a new route that would move the TPLEX to less populated areas in the borders of Sison and San Fabian Pangasinan to avoid farmlands that are in the way of the project’s original alignment before it proceeds to the TPLEX exit in Rosario, La Union.

Under proposed rerouting, TPLEx would pass through less-developed villages and away from farmlands in Sison and Pozzorubio in Pangasinan. There would be a route passing through Bantay Isnik and Tara-ara in Sison that goes through San Fabian. The original plan traverses Urdaneta City to Rosario.

Cosalan, chair of the House committee on public works objected to Cojuangco’s proposal saying it would move the exit away from access roads to Baguio City by at least five kilometers at the expense of tourists, businessmen and truckers who ship vegetables grown in the provinces of Benguet and Mountain Province to Metro Manila daily.

Recently, the Cordillera Regional Development Council in ameeting, approved a resolution “Supporting the approved alignment of Section 3 of the Tarlac-Pangasinan-La Union Expressway (TPLEX) and strongly supports the approved original alignment of Section 3 (Urdaneta City to Rosario terminus) of the TPLEX.”

The resolution was presented alongside Cosalan's appeal to the RDC members during their first quarter meeting here last week.

The resolution cited an evaluation study by Filipinas Dravo Corporation (FDC) of three realignments of Section 3 that were proposed.

The study showed the shortest proposed realignment—which goes from Urdaneta City to Rosario—extends the length of the expressway by 1.48 km while another proposed realignment—from Laoac to Bued—will have the lowest increase in project cost from the original alignment by 26.88 percent.

The third proposed realignment, from Pozurrubio to Rosario roundabout increased the highway in length by 3.15 km and cost by 42.1 percent..

“These realignments will be disadvantageous to the riding public of the projected 7,000 vehicles that will ply Section 3 daily since the increase in length will result in higher toll fees,” the RDC resolution said.

The Benguet Provincial Board also passed a resolution requesting Department of Public Works and Highways Sec. Rogelio Singson  to ensure  implementation of the TPLEX based on the original plan and “staunchly opposing” the rerouting of the original road line. 

On Feb. 3, the Mountain Province Provincial Board passed a similar resolution strongly supporting the Benguet SP resolution. 

AbraGov. and RDC chair EustaquioBersaminalso announced at the RDC meeting that his province’s Board passed a similar resolution.

He asked other provinces in the region to support opposition, adding doing so would show unity among Cordillerans.

Efren Balaoing, director of the Department of Energy Luzon Field Office, said the infrastructure committee of RDC Region I endorsed the original plan for the TPLEX Section 3.

Cosalan also shared what transpired in his meeting with Ramon Ang, president of San Miguel Corp. which serves as administrator of the toll project through its unit Private Infra Development Corp. (the TPLEx concessionaire).

Ang reportedly said following the plan of Cojuangco would add not just an additional P 1 billion to the cost of the expressway, but it would also add  additional government subsidy of P 500 million a year for the next 25 years. Currently, there is P 4.7 billion subsidy from the national government for the Tarlac-Urdaneta section.

Meanwhile, Baguio City Mayor Mauricio Domogan expressed neither support nor opposition of either Cosalan or Cojuangco. He said in his weekly press forum that he would go for any plan for the expressway as long as no private properties are compromised, adding that any complaints that will be raised will only just delay construction of the TPLEX.

The TPLEX is a Public Private Partnership project funded by Private Infrastructure Development Corporation through the Build-Transfer-Operate Scheme under the BOT Law.

It covers 88.85 km of expressway from Tarlac City to Rosario, La Union and is divided into three sections. Passing through it reduces travel time to and from Baguio and nearby provinces by almost two hours.

Domogan said he was hopeful for continuance of the project provided there will be no conflicts involving private properties of farmers and individuals.

He said another area aside from the existing road could be used.

“We cannot afford to sacrifice the interest of the farmers and private individuals that is why we want the Department of Public Works and Highways and concerned agencies to inspect the actual situation.  We need the extension of the TPLEX because the old existing road will no longer be used by majority of motor vehicles in going to La Union, Abra, Ilocos Norte, among others,” said the mayor.

Domogan said he believes re-routing of the expressway is practical to avoid delay of the project.  “Pero dapat tingnan nila ng maiigi na wala silang maaapektuhan na private property kasi pag nagkaroon ng temporary restraining order, matatagalan na naman yan,” he said. -- With a report from Pryce E. Quintos