In a ceremony held at the Rio Chico Viaduct in La Paz, Tarlac, President Rodrigo Duterte along with Japan Ambassador Koshikawa Kazuhiko, Department of Public Works and Highways Secretary Mark Villar, Senator Bong Go and Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque Duterte inaugurated the first 18 kilometers of the 30km Central Luzon Link Expressway (CLLEX) from Tarlac City up to the intersection of Aliaga-Guimba Road in Nueva Ecija on July 15.

CLLEX Phase 1 includes the Tarlac and Rio Chico River Bridge section (10.5-km), the Aliaga segment (9.2-km), and the Cabanatuan portion (10.3-km). The expressway has four lanes in total and is estimated to benefit 11,200 motorists and commuters. It is set to decongest Central Luzon and allow seamless traffic flow between the region and Metro Manila.