Correct toll rates issued

The Toll Regulatory Board (TRB) issued yesterday the correct toll rates that the Philippine National Construction Corp. (PNCC) should charge motorists along the South Luzon Expressway (SLEX) and the North Luzon Expressway (SLEX).

Transportation Undersecretary for Land Transport Arturo Valdez said the five-man TRB, headed by Transportation and Communications Secretary Leandro Mendoza, ruled that the PNCC should collect 52 centavos per kilometer on both tollways, instead of the rates it imposed last July 5.

From 33 centavos per kilometer, the PNCC increased its toll to 52 centavos per kilometer on the NLEX and 72 centavos per kilometer on the SLEX.

Former Commodore Pastor Ramos, PNCC chairman, readily accepted the TRB ruling, saying they will immediately attend to the procedural requirements that will enable them to collect the new rates on the two tollways and at the same time, facilitate the toll refund for SLEX motorists.

Ramos said the new toll rates will take effect "hopefully within the week, possibly by Saturday."

Valdez, however, said they will still be coordinating the refund with the PNCC.

"We will have to work with the PNCC on that," he said, assuring SLEX motorists who have paid the unapproved toll since July 5 that they will be reimbursed, providing they can present their receipts.

In their computation, Valdez said the lower toll the TRB imposed on the SLEX means that a motorist driving a Class 1 vehicle from Alabang to Calamba has pay only P15, instead of the P21 previously imposed.

Meanwhile, Class 2 and Class 3 vehicles will pay only P30 and P45, respectively.

On the NLEX, Class 1 vehicles (private cars and jeepneys) will pay 52 centavos per kilometer, while Class 2 (vans and buses) and Class 3 (heavy duty vehicles) will pay P1.04 and P0.998 per kilometer, respectively.

The PNCC said it was authorized to set its toll rates under Section 9 of Presidential Decree 1894. However, it has to comply with procedural requirements such as submitting a report on the toll increase to the TRB.

The TRB contested the new toll rates imposed by the PNCC, saying it did not approve them.