The government, along with tollway operators, are set to implement a toll rebate program on June 1 to shield agricultural products from the brunt of rising inflation.
The Toll Regulatory Board (TRB), the Department of Finance (DOF), the Department of Transportation (DOTr) and the Department of Agriculture (DA), in collaboration with the toll expressway concessionaires and operators of Manila Cavite Expressway, North Luzon Expressway, Subic Clark-Tarlac Expressway, Muntinlupa Cavite Expressway and South Luzon Expressway, launched the Agri-Trucks Toll Rebate Program.
The program allows DA-accredited truckers transporting agricultural goods/products to receive toll rebates equivalent to the recent enumerated toll increases. It will initially run for three months, subject to evaluation for possible extension.
“This program aims to protect the welfare of the general public by minimizing the impact of toll rate increase on the overall inflationary situation to ensure the stability of food prices,” TRB executive director Alvin Carullo said.
“The TRB, together with the different government agencies, acknowledges the toll expressway concessionaires and operators for their full support and cooperation as this will not be possible if they did not agree to implement this exemption,” Carullo said.
To qualify for the toll increase exemption, agri-trucks should be duly accredited by the DA and should have a valid Autosweep and/or Easytrip RFID accounts.
“Submitted documents will undergo a verification process within seven working days. Enrollees will be notified of their enrollment status via their registered email addresses,” the TRB said.
“Once approved, agri-truckers will enjoy a toll rebate that will be credited to their RFID accounts every Wednesday of the following week,” it said.
The TRB said spot checks would be conducted to ensure enrolled trucks are transporting agricultural goods/products as part of monitoring and to prevent abuse. Non-compliance may result in disqualification from the program.