President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. announced Tuesday that the newly opened segment of the Central Luzon Link Expressway (CLLEX) will be toll-free until December.

The President led the opening of the four-kilometer section of the expressway in Cabanatuan City, part of an east-west Luzon corridor linking Tarlac to Nueva Ecija.

“Siguro hanggang Disyembre toll-free ito, kaya libre muna,” Marcos said during the inauguration.

The toll-free period applies to the San Juan Interchange of CLLEX Contract Package 4, covering the Aliaga–Cabanatuan section, which officially opened to the public on March 31.

He said it will help to ease travel costs for motorists and support the transport of goods.

The President emphasized that the new expressway will shorten travel time between Cabanatuan City and Tarlac City from about one hour and 30 minutes to just 20 minutes.

“Ito ay kasama ulit doon sa ating instruction na buksan lahat ng maaaring buksan na connector road para mas maging mabilis ang daloy ng traffic at malaking bagay ito dahil ang biyahe na tumatagal ng isang oras kalahati ay magiging 20 minutes na lang,” he added.

Marcos highlighted the road’s role in supporting the transport of palay from Nueva Ecija, the country’s top rice-producing province, saying it would help keep rice prices stable.

“Ito ay makakatulong bawasan ang transport cost at sa ganoon sa pagbawas ng transport cost ay mananatili ang presyo ng bigas…Alam naman natin na kapag tinamaan ang langis ay maraming sumusunod pati pagkain,” he explained.

The CLLEX Contract Package 4 Aliaga–Cabanatuan section is expected to accommodate around 11,000 vehicles daily, benefiting both private motorists and commercial transporters.