The 18-kilometer section of Central Luzon Link Expressway (CLLEX) that will cut travel time from Tarlac City to Cabanatuan City to 20 minutes has been opened Thursday afternoon (July 15) to motorists and commuters.
The Tarlac Interchange to Aliaga Section of the 30-kilometer CLLEX Project Phase 1 will benefit around 12,000 motorists by reducing the original travel time of around 70 minutes from Tarlac to Nueva Ecija.
President Rodrigo Duterte led the opening of the segment, together with cabinet officials, and Japanese Ambassador to the Philippines Koshikawa Kazuhiko.
In his speech, Duterte thanked the Japanese government for its assistance in funding the project “in support of the national infrastructure program.”
“The infusion of P12-B from the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) attests to the indispensable role of Japan as one of our most important partners in attaining inclusive progress though infrastructure development,” he said.
“To our kababayans, be assured that this administration will remain committed in fulfilling its mission of providing a more comfortable life for all Filipinos,” he added.
The CCLEX is a project under the Build, Build, Build Program. Its second phase will extend the first phase by 35 kilometers from Cabanatuan City to San Jose City, Nueva Ecija. – Report from Sweeden Velado-Ramirez/AG-rir