TPLEX extension underway for OPS status, says DPWH

MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) may award an original proponent status (OPS) to one more unsolicited expressway proposal before the year ends.

DPWH director for Public-Private Partnership Alex Bote told The STAR that San Miguel Holdings Corp.’s unsolicited proposal to extend the Tarlac-Pangasinan-La Union Expressway (TPLEX) to San Juan, La Union is now under final evaluation, with the hopes of it being granted the OPS this month.

“What is the closest right now is the TPLEX extension. We will try our best to give it the OPS within the year,” Bote said.

Should it be awarded the OPS, the TPLEX extension project will be the second unsolicited proposal to gain headway this year following the 50.42-kilometer Cavite Tagaytay Batangas Expressway (CTBEX) project of Metro Pacific Tollways Corp., which secured its OPS from the DPWH last July.

The TPLEX extension is a P23.95 billion unsolicited proposal submitted by SMHC last Feb. 14 which aims to promote the development of Northern Luzon as well as facilitate connectivity to Central Luzon and Metro Manila through high speed mobility and secured access.

The project involves a 59.4-kilometer four-lane toll road which will start from the last exit of the TPLEX in Rosario, La Union and will terminate at San Juan, La Union.

It is divided into three segments, the first of which is from Rosario to Tubao, then Tubao to Naguilian, and Naguilian to San Juan.

The grant of OPS to SMHC for the TPLEX extension would give it the right to match offers from other parties when a Swiss challenge is conducted for the project.

TPLEX is an 89.31-km expressway from Tarlac City, Tarlac to Rosario, La Union, divided into three phases.

SMC has also submitted an unsolicited proposal to extend the TPLEX by another 100 kms to reach the Ilocos province.