San Miguel gets OPS for TPLEX extension proposal

MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) has granted an original proponent status (OPS) to San Miguel Holdings Corp.’s unsolicited proposal to extend the Tarlac-Pangasinan-La Union Expressway (TPLEX) to San Juan, La Union, giving the proponent the headway for the project.

“At this point it’s already original proponent status for the TPLEX extension,” Public Works and Highways Secretary Mark Villar said yesterday.

The DPWH signed the grant of OPS earlier this month.

The TPLEX extension project is the second unsolicited proposal to be granted an OPS this year by the DPWH following the 50.42-kilometer Cavite-Tagaytay-Batangas Expressway (CTBEX) project of Metro Pacific Tollways Corp., which secured its OPS 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 gives SMHC 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.

Diversified conglomerate San Miguel has also submitted an unsolicited proposal to extend the TPLEX by another 100 kms to reach the Ilocos province.