LINGAYEN, Pangasinan- The provincial board issued a resolution instructing the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) and contractor Private Infra Development Corporation (PIDC) to hasten construction of Tarlac-Pangasinan-La Union Expressway (TPLEX) original alignment.
Known candidate under administration wing, board member Generoso Tulagan Jr. proposed Provincial Resolution No. 1617 of 2015 which council believed to have necessary endorsements and approval to continue the original National Economic Development Authority (Neda)-approved route Mark Cojuangco, proponent of TPLEX realignment (also known as Option-1 route) and gubernatorial candidate of Pangasinan for 2016 elections, disappointedly explained that the decision of the board was ‘obviously politically motivated’. “The provincial government [of Pangasinan] will sacrifice all merit in aid of their retention of the government office.” he stated with full conviction.
“[What we will do is] just a continuation of our previous efforts,” Cojuangco added.
Local Government Units (LGUs) from municipalities affected by original route have already accomplished efforts to realign the original route to option-1. Municipalities of Sison and Laoac, and city of Urdaneta have filed resolutions concerning the senate to investigate on the said realignment. LGUs from the town of Pozorrubio and provincial boards of La Union and Ilocos Sur had also filed resolution comprehending support for option-1 route plan.
The original route extending from Urdaneta City, Pangasinan to Rosario, La Union will directly affect municipalities of Binalonan, Sison, Laoac and Pozorrubio through the right-of-way acquisition.
Before Cojuangco announced to run for the gubernatorial seat in the province, Sanguniang Panlalawigan (SP) Resolution no. 321 of 2012 authored by Vice Governor Jose Ferdinand Calimlim Jr. stated its full endorsement to support Cojuangco’s proposed route or option 1. However, the tides have turned as the province officially released SP Resolution 158 of 2015, authored by SP member Alfonso Bince Jr., declaring official support for the original alignment of TPLEX.