Providing relief to drivers and operators using these tollways.
On Friday, March 20, Secretary Giovanni Lopez received a letter from Toll Regulatory Board (TRB) Executive Director Jay Art Tugade, which detailed that San Miguel Corporation and Metro Pacific Tollways Corporation have expressed their intention to give a two-month reprieve to select vehicles.
Per Tugade, “Tollway Concessionaires/Operators expressed that they will voluntarily implement a temporary toll discount for essential transport sectors.”
The toll rate adjustments, which will run until May, will apply to Class 1 Public Utility Vehicles (PUVs like Jeepneys), Class 2 Public Utility Buses (PUBs) and Class 3 vehicles engaged in freight services, including those involved in logistics and the movement of essential goods.
With the adjusted toll rates, Class 1 vehicles can save up to PHP18 per end-to-end trip, while Class 2 and Class 3 vehicles may save as much as PHP47 and PHP72 per trip, respectively.
Lopez, in his statement, said the toll discounts will be a huge relief for PUV drivers and commuters, as well as consumers. This, as the toll relief will support the country’s general welfare by stabilizing commuter fares and the cost of goods and commodities.
“Nagpapasalamat tayo sa San Miguel Corp., kay Mr. Ramon Ang, at sa Metro Pacific Tollways Corp., kay Mr. Manny Pangilinan dahil malaking tulong ito sa ating mga PUV drivers, commuters, pati na rin sa ating mga mamimili at mga negosyante sa kabila ng kinakaharap nating krisis ngayon sa langis,” the transport chief said.
Toll discounts will be provided through rebates, which will be credited weekly to all qualified vehicles, with the initial period of two months and might be extended depending on the circumstances.
SMC manages the STAR Tollway, SLEX (South Luzon Expressway), Skyway System, NAIAX (NAIA Expressway), and TPLEX (Tarlac-Pangasinan-La Union Expressway).
As for MPTC, they are responsible for NLEX (North Luzon Expressway), NLEX Connector, SCTEX (Subic-Clark-Tarlac Expressway), CALAX (Cavite-Laguna Expressway), and the CAVITEX (Cavite Expressway).