Increased Skyway rates in effect starting today

Higher toll rates will be charged to motorists using the Metro Manila Skyway System starting today.

At the elevated section of the Skyway, cars, jeepneys, pick-ups, and vans, all considered Class 1 vehicles, will be charged a minimum of P75, with an additional P11 at every entry or exit points; light trucks, tourist, school, and public utility buses, or Class 2 vehicles, will pay P150, with an additional P22 at every entry or exit points; and heavy and multi-axled trucks and trailers, will be charged P225 with an additional P33 at every exit of entry points. At the Skyway’s ground level, Class 1 vehicles will be charged P20 from Magallanes to C-5 and all points in between, P11 from Bicutan to Sucat, and another P11 from Sucat to Alabang. From Magallanes to C-5, Class 2 vehicles will be charged P40, while Class 3 vehicles will have to pay P60.

Skyway manager, Citra-Metro Manila Tollways Corp. (CMMTC), a joint venture between Indonesian-owned company Citra, and the Philippine National Construction Co. (PNCC), a government-owned and controlled corporation (GOCC), has installed billboards at various entry and exit points showing the increased toll rates.

The Toll Regulatory Board (TRB) granted CMMTC’s application for a two-stage provisional increase last year. Last January, President Arroyo has indefinitely postponed the increased rates at the North and South Luzon tollways as proposed by the PNCC due to widespread protests but the CMMTC was allowed to implement the first stage of the increase.

Muntinlupa City Rep. Ruffy Biazon said he wrote President Arroyo "months ago" seeking to expand the suspension and include the Skyway rates but said he got "no response" from her.

Citra spokesperson Ramon Borromeo said the provisional increase were brought about by the "severe devaluation" of the peso. "We need to pay off our dollar loans," he said. The Skyway project costs some P514 million.