Luzon’s Seamless Transport Network: Accessible Links to Travel, Tourism Hubs

By Garry A. Cativo

While it is often said that “difficult roads lead to beautiful places,” the road arteries in the Luzon island of the Philippines offer seamless and hassle-free access to must-see destinations.

The enhanced road infrastructure in Luzon do not only serve the transport needs of Filipinos, but also respond to the demands of a rapidly growing sector that helps fuel the economy: the travel and tourism industry.

Luzon is home to the Clark International Airport (CRK) which could now cater to eight million passengers from all over the world. Envisioned to be Asia's next premier gateway, CRK can be the take off point of local and foreign travelers who wish to explore the country’s largest island by road.

These roads lead to the economic hubs under the stewardship of the Bases Conversion and Development Authority: Poro Point Freeport Zone, John Hay Special Economic Zone, Clark Economic Zone, and Bataan Technology Park.

Game-changing super highways

So far, there are two most popular expressways in Luzon: the North Luzon Expressway (NLEX), which connects the Gateway of Metro Manila, Caloocan, to Pampanga; and the South Luzon Expressway (SLEX), which links Manila to Calamba in Laguna.

The Subic-Clark-Tarlac Expressway (SCTEX) is another popular thoroughfare. Constructed in 2008 to connect the Subic Bay in Olongapo City, and the provinces of Zambales, Bataan, Pampanga, and Tarlac, the SCTEX links the industrial and economic zones located in Subic Bay Freeport, Clark Freeport Zone and the Central Techno Park, in Tarlac. In 2006, this expressway was connected to the NLEX for seamless travel to and from Central Luzon and North Luzon.

Soon, the Tarlac-Pangasinan-La Union Expressway (TPLEX) was built to connect the rest of Tarlac City, Pangasinan, all the way to Rosario, La Union. This connectivity reduced the travel time to Baguio City, and the provinces of Pangasinan, La Union, and the rest of the Ilocos region.

Another expressway was built to connect Nueva Ecija and the rest of Central Luzon to Manila. The Central Luzon Link Expressway (CCLEX) is a four-lane, 35.70- km expressway connected to the SCTEX from Tarlac City to Cabanatuan City, Nueva Ecija. The expressway was constructed to help decongest Metro Manila, and also for faster travel of agricultural goods from the Central region.

From the NLEX, the recently built Metro Manila Skyway Stage 3 connects NLEX’s Balintawak exit to Metro Manila Skyway all the way to the SLEX. This elevated expressway connects the Heart of Manila via Nagtahan or Quirino exits, and the Central Business District in Makati via Buendia Exit. This will provide ease of traveling for those who live in the nearby provinces of Pampanga and Bulacan to work in Metro Manila without passing through Epifanio delos Santos Avenue (EDSA).

Passing through the Metro Manila Skyway would take one to SLEX. This expressway will lead to the provinces of Laguna, and Batangas up to Batangas City via Star Tollway and even to Cavite via Muntinlupa-Cavite Expressway (MCX) and the Cavite-Laguna Expressway (CALAX).

There are other expressways in Metro Manila that are worth mentioning as those can lead one faster to destinations in Manila or the Province of Cavite. These are the NLEX Harbor Link (NLEX to Port Area) all the way to Cavite Expressway (CAVITEX); the NLEX Caloocan-Espana that connects South Caloocan to Espana, Manila; the Ninoy Aquino International Airport Expressway (NAIAX) that is interconnected to the Metro Manila Skyway up to CAVITEX.

What follows are a few hidden gems that can be reached with less travel time if accessed through the expressways. (See next page.)

The Smart, Green, and Inclusive New Clark City

One emerging destination north of Luzon is the New Clark City, a 9,450-hectare greenfield development inside the Clark Special Economic Zone. Positioned to be an inclusive, resilient, sustainable, and smart city, this major metropolis is being developed to serve as an investment hub to catalyze growth in the region.

Other road infrastructure projects are also being developed in the area, including the CRK Airport to New Clark City Access Road. Also in the pipeline are major railway projects, namely the NorthSouth Commuter Railway Project and the SubicClark Railway Project.

Visitors from Metro Manila can access New Clark City via the seamless connection from North Luzon Expressway (NLEX) to Subic-Clark-Tarlac Expressway (SCTEX), particularly through the latter’s Dolores or Concepcion Exit. Soon, the access road from SCTEX to New Clark City will also be opened to the public to shorten travel time.

Tondol Beach

Anda, Pangasinan

Known as the “Boracay” of the North, Tondol Beach is one of the best beaches in Pangasinan. The beach has ankle-to-knee-deep shore and a long and vascular sandbar that can be explored during low tide specially in the morning.

Located in the municipality of Anda, the beach can be accessed through land five to six hours of travel via NLEX, SCTEX, and TPLEX.

From NLEX Balintawak, go straight north all the way to SCTEX and proceed to Tarlac. Exit the Tarlac City Toll Plaza, enter the TPLEX La Paz Toll Plaza, and traverse all the way to the Ramos-Paniqui Toll Plaza exit. From this, you can follow your map application all the way to Tondol Beach.

Aureo Resort

San Fernando, La Union

La Union is one of the country’s top tourist destinations owing to its historical sites, natural attractions, delicious food, activities, and world-class beaches. It is also a popular surfing destination among local and international surfers.

Another must-see in La Union is Aureo (from the Latin oro, meaning gold), a first-class luxury resort in San Fernando, La Union. Located on a 400-meter stretch of beach of the municipality, Aureo has 58 villa rooms and 116 tropical-themed hotel rooms.

Reach Aureo in four to five hours via NLEX, SCTEX, and TPLEX. From NLEX Balintawak, go straight north all the way to SCTEX and proceed to Tarlac. Exit the Tarlac City Toll Plaza. Enter the TPLEX La Paz Toll Plaza and traverse all the way to the Rosario Toll Plaza, the last TPLEX toll plaza. Head straight to La Union.

Monasterio De Tarlac

San Jose, Tarlac

Monasterio de Tarlac is a Catholic monastery on top of Mount Resurrection, which is partially located at the Zambales Mountain Ranges in Luzon. Part of the mountain ranges is located in Barangay Lubigan, San Jose, Tarlac. A relic believed to be a fragment of the True Cross of Jesus is housed in the monastery.

The monastery has a dormitory and viewing decks with mountainous terrain and the 30-ft. Statue of the Risen Christ. The Monasterio de Tarlac served as the hermitage house for five monks of the Priory of the Servants of the Risen Christ, a congregation of monastic brothers led by Prior, Frater Ronald Thomas Cortez, SRC.

Monasterio de Tarlac can be reached through NLEX and SCTEX in two to three hours. Enter the Balintawak Toll Plaza. Exit the SCTEX Concepcion Toll Plaza. From there, you can use your map application for easier navigation.

BIAK-NA-BATO NATIONAL PARK

San Miguel, Bulacan

A protected area located in San Miguel, Tarlac, the Biak-na-Bato National Park borrows its name from the historical pact of Biak-na-Bato. It was declared a National Park in 1937 by President Manuel Quezon. The park consists of caves, rivers, and trails of both history and ecology. The fantastic view of the park can be viewed from Mt. Manalmon.

Here are some activities to fully enjoy your visit to Biak-na-Bato National Park:

1. Hike in Mt. Manalmon.

2. Spelunk in Madlum and Manalmon Caves.

3. Swim in the Madlum River.

Take the NLEX for a faster route. Enter the Balintawak Toll Plaza and exit Balagtas Toll Plaza. Map your way to San Miguel, Bulacan, to Brgy. Madlum. You can ask a local for directions when you get to Brgy. Madlum.