SLEX toll increase suspended

MANILA, Philippines - The Toll Regulatory Board (TRB) said Malaysian firm MTD Capital Berhad, which financed the rehabilitation of the South Luzon Expressway (SLEX), has voluntarily deferred the 250 percent toll hike, which was supposed to be implemented tomorrow.

“There are still some outstanding issues that have to be resolved,” TRB spokesman Julius Corpuz told The STAR.

The toll increase was first scheduled for implementation last June 30 but was postponed because of protests from various sectors.

The regulatory board had approved the toll increase sought by the South Luzon Tollways Corp. (SLTC), which was authorized to operate the SLEX through a Toll Operation Certificate issued last Nov. 27.

The rehabilitation and expansion of the SLEX were solely funded by the MTD Capital. Transport groups have asked President Aquino to stop the toll hike pending a public hearing on the toll increase.

In a letter to the Office of the President, lawyer Vigor Mendoza who represents the 1-United Transport Koalition (1-UTAK) and Southern Luzon Bus Operators Association (SOLUBOA) said the regulatory board acted with grave abuse of discretion when it allowed the SLTC to raise toll fees.

It said SLTC has no congressional franchise authorizing it to collect toll fees because it depends on the franchise of the Philippine National Construction Corp., which expired in 2007.

Mendoza also argued that toll fees in the SLEX should not be raised because of its wide customer base, which averages 200,000 to 250,000 vehicles everyday, 99,605 more than the daily average of 150,395 vehicles that pass through the North Expressway (NLEX).

Under the new rates, Class 1 vehicles - cars, vans, and other light vehicles - will pay P77 from the current P21. - with Perseus Echeminada, Edu Punay