MANILA, Philippines - Operators of passenger buses plying the South Luzon Expressway will attempt to pass on the 233% toll fee increase to low-income commuters, the group's president said Thursday.

Homer Mercado, president of the South Luzon Bus Operators' Association, told ABS-CBN's morning show "Umagang Kay Ganda" that they will ask the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) for a P.40 per kilometer fare increase even before the implementation of the toll fee increase takes effect on August 16.

Mercado said that it is the only solution they see to prevent the possibility of losses due to the 233% toll fee increase.

Aside from the 233% toll fee increase, the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) will also impose a 12% value-added tax (VAT) on toll fees on August 16.

The 12% VAT will also affect motorists plying the North Luzon Expressway.

The 233% toll fee increase will raise the Alabang-Calamba toll fee for Class 1 vehicles (cars, motorcycles, SUVs, jeepneys) from P22 to P77. The additional tax, meanwhile, will further increase the toll fee to P86.24.

Buses and light trucks, including goods delivery vehicles, that fall under the Class 2 vehicles will have to pay P155 plus 12% VAT.

Mercado said they will delay the fare hike petition if the Toll Regulatory Board (TRB) defers the implementation of the toll fee increase.

"Ang VAT kaya pa iyang i-absorb. Ang toll fee increase medyo mahihirapan na i-carry on ng mga operators namin," he said.

Mercado, meanwhile, said they are hoping that the TRB will review the South Luzon Tollway Corp. (SLTC)'s toll fee increase before it is implemented.

He said that the SLTC has been invoking the Marcos-era Letter of Instruction (LOI) No. 1334-A, which allows the TRB to grant a petitioner's request for increase in fees "without need of notice, publication or [public] hearing."

Mercado said that the Marcos-era LOI is unfair. He cited the LTFRB's rule that fare hikes should undergo a public hearing before its implementation.

“Sa toll, increase muna bago ang hearing,” he added.

He said that the TRB should at least order the SLTC to make public its cost of project and cost recovery documents before the 233% toll fee increase is approved.

"Dapat ipakita ang cost of project at cost recovery. Dapat may due diligence para malaman kung tama ba ang [233%] increase, otherwise we are at a lost, magbabayad tayo ng ganun na lang," Mercado said.