MANILA, Philippines -Transport groups on Monday reminded newly installed President Benigno "Noynoy" Aquino III that time is running out to suspend a 250% toll hike at the South Luzon Expressway (SLEx), which takes effect on July 7.

1-UTAK Rep. Vigor Mendoza said the Southern Luzon Tollway Corporation has no congressional franchise which authorizes it to collect toll fees because it merely depends on the supposed franchise of the Philippine National Construction Corporation, which expired last 2007.

TRB’s approval, the complainants said, contradicts the fact that the same is merely provisional in nature.

“As the term implies, provisional means temporary, preliminary or tentative and suggests that a matter is partially approved pending receipt of additional evidence to prove the merits of the case,” the letter-appeal reads.

Under the new rates, motorists driving Class 1 vehicles or cars, vans, and other small vehicles through Alabang in Muntinlupa City to Calamba, Laguna will have to pay P77 from the current P21.

On the other hand, Class 2 vehicles, or light trucks and buses would be charged P155 from P43 while heavy and multi-wheeler trucks under the Class 3 classification would pay P232 from P65.

The TRB was supposed to carry out the new toll fee rates last June 30 but deferred the increase to July 7.
        
In their argument, the two transport group officials emphasized the wider base of SLEX users justifies lower toll rates since it serves an average of 200,000 to 250,000 motorists per day or 99,605 vehicles more than the average 150,395 vehicles served by the other highway the North Expressway (NLEX).

“The new toll rates unjustly favor SLTC to the prejudice of the riding public since the Malaysian parent company of SLTC, MTD Capital Berhad, has collected roughly P10,500,000,000.00 in toll fees since its assumption of operations in 2006 at the rate of P 2,600,000,000.00) a year,” the groups appealed.