MANILA, Philippines - Independent oil players are opposing the implementation of the 250% hike in toll fees at the South Luzon Expressway (SLEx) as they warn this can lead to higher fuel prices.

The Independent Philippine Petroleum Companies Association or IPPCA said the hefty increase in toll would have an impact on the price of cargo being transported from Metro Manila to Southern Luzoz and vice versa.

Once toll fees are up, IPPCA said haulers will also jack up charges, forcing oil firms to raise retail prices of diesel and gasoline in affected areas.

SLEx operator South Luzon Tollways Corp. (SLTC) was supposed to enforce the 250% toll increase on June 30, but deferred this until July 7, in deference to the inauguration of President-elect Beningno Aquino III.

SLTC is hiking fees to recover the cost of rehabilitating the 27.3-kilometer Alabang to Calamba stretch, and expanding the 1.2-km Alabang Viaduct.

The current toll at SLEx (Alabang to Calamba) is P22 for light vehicles, P43 for buses and P65 for heavy trucks. - Report from Zen Hernandez, ABS-CBN News