Vol. XXI, No. 160 [ Business World Online ]
Friday, March 14, 2008 | MANILA, PHILIPPINES
TOLLS at the South Luzon Expressway (SLEx) were reduced this week by the government, which cited the inconvenience caused by a rehabilitation project and the rising price of fuel.
The "temporary relief" of a 10% reduction, which took effect last Sunday, March 9, covers the stretch of the expressway from Alabang, Muntinlupa to Calamba, Laguna.
Malacañang, in announcing the toll reduction, said President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo wanted "to share with the motoring public the benefits of the improving economic conditions in the country."
"The lower toll fee will also serve as a cost cushion to SLEx motorists in the wake of rising global fuel prices," it said.
"It is the government’s way of giving some relief in view of the ongoing traffic inconvenience considering the development there and plus the rising price of diesel," Toll Regulatory Board (TRB) spokesperson Julius G. Corpuz said.
The P8.5-billion SLEx development consists of the repair of the 1.2-kilometer Alabang Viaduct and rehabilitation of the Alabang to Calamba stretch. The project is scheduled to be finished early next year.
The 10% cut brought the toll fee from Alabang to Calamba to P22 from P24 for Class 1 or light vehicles like cars or jeepneys.
For the same length, Class 2 vehicles like buses are now charged P43, while Class 3 vehicles or heavy trucks are now billed P65 from the previous P48 and P72, respectively.
"We will bring it back to original price if the cost to operate the expressway rises significantly. If the firms would not be able to maintain the SLEx in top condition," Mr. Corpuz said.
Officials from SLEx operator and state-owned Philippine National Construction Corp. (PNCC) were not immediately available for comment on the toll reduction’s impact on the firm’s bottomline.
Transport sector officials, meanwhile, were divided over the reduced tolls.
"It would be better if the government would not stop in that reduction. We pay more for [the stretch from] Nichols in Pasay to Alabang," Provincial Bus Operators Association of the Philippines president Homer A. Mercado said.
1-United Transport Koalisyon chairman Vigor D. Mendoza II said "That’s only minimal at 10%, but it is a step towards the right direction. Even if the price of oil goes up, but cost centers like toll rates are decreased, we do not need to raise fares."
The Palace said over 200,000 vehicles use the SLEx daily. The highway is the key transport route for goods from export zone, industrial estates, and farms from the Southern Tagalog region.
It said the rehabilitation work includes the expansion of the Alabang to Sta. Rosa, Laguna segment to eight from four lanes, and the stretch from Sta. Rosa to Calamba, Laguna six from four lanes.
The SLEx, Malacañang said, will also be interconnected with the STAR Tollway for a seamless travel up to Batangas.
Construction work has also started for the extension of the Skyway to Alabang, it said.
The TRB also wants to reduce tolls at the North Luzon Expressway, but concessionaire Manila North Tollways Corp. is against the move. — M. G. S. Ramos, A. D. B. Romero
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