A militant legislator has condemned the recent toll increases approved for the North Luzon Expressway (NLEX), saying it was like “adding salt to injury” particularly at this time when the public was grappling with escalating costs of goods and services.
“Any toll hike approved by the Toll Regulatory Board (TRB) is adding salt to injury as it will eventually jack up bus fares, prices of agricultural produce, and basic goods from the provinces transported through NLEX,” Rep. Arlene Brosas of Gabriela party-list group said.
NLEX Corp announced that the TRB has authorized a second tranche of periodic toll adjustments based on their 2018 and 2020 petitions.
Under the new rates, end-to-end travel from Metro Manila to Mabalacat City will cost an additional P27 for private vehicles, P68 for buses, and P81 for trucks.
“A gradual increase does not lessen the impact. It comes at a time when prices of basic utilities and services are already soaring,” Brosas noted. “It’s like slowly suffocating consumers as traders will inevitably pass on these additional costs.”
Motorists will face an immediate increase in travel costs, with private vehicle users paying an extra P27, bus passengers potentially seeing higher fares, and truck operators incurring an additional P81. These hikes will likely lead to increased transportation costs for goods, exacerbating the financial strain on consumers who are already dealing with high prices across the board, Brosas asserted.
She said she will file a House resolution on the matter, challenging and opposing the NLEX toll hikes, which she believes will further burden the Filipino people.
“A toll increase, even if gradual, will still burden the riding public who are already struggling with soaring prices. This decision reflects the government’s rejection of its responsibility to provide affordable services, showing a disregard for the plight of ordinary Filipinos. We will file a resolution to investigate the basis of this toll hike,” Brosas stressed.
