MANILA, Philippines - The Toll Regulatory Board (TRB)said it would be up to incoming President Benigno Aquino III to decide if the approved  hefty toll hike on June 30 for the South Luzon Expressway (Slex) will be deferred.

"If he (Aquino) decides to put off the increase, we will respect it," said TRB spokesperson Julius Corpuz on Sunday.

The TRB last week gave the Slex operator, the South Luzon Tollways Corp., the green light for the 300% toll fee increase for the Alabang-Calamba stretch beginning on June 30. The adjustment in toll rates would cover the costs of rehabilitating and upgrading the facilities of the expressway.

The rehabilitation work for the 27.3-kilometer Alabang to Calamba stretch, included the expansion of the 1.2-km Alabang viaduct.

The current toll at Slex  is P22 for light vehicles, P43 for buses and P65 for heavy trucks

Bus operators opposing the toll hike said they will be forced to pass on to communters, the added cost, which means transport fare will rise by an average of 20 centavos per kilometer.

The South Luzon Bus Operators Association estimated that  a 20 centavo fare increase would mean that a commuter currently paying P50 for a ride from Alabang to Calamba, Laguna will have to pay P6 more.

Corpuz said there are other measures that can be taken to stop the toll fee hike.

"One is if the courts issue a temporary restraining order or preliminary injunction, the TRN defers the increase, or there is an order from either the outgoing or incoming administration."

Corpuz said that while the TRB will only start public hearings for those opposing the toll hike in 90 days, it is possible to cut have an earlier hearing if this is ordered by the President.

The TRB said that while it would be tolerating the mass protests actions being planned by various transport groups, it is appealing to these groups not to disrupt and prevent commuters from traveling in the expressway.