THE Supreme Court last week cleared the way for the imposition of the 250% hike in toll fee at the South Luzon Expressway (SLEx) when it dismissed a petition filed by Albay Governor Joey Salceda to stop the increase.
In an 11-page decision, the SC said most claims in the Salceda petition had already been resolved in its October 19 resolution. In that ruling, the High Court affirmed the constitutionality of the proposed toll fee hike by the South Luzon Tollway Corp (SLTC) as well as validity of Toll Regulatory Board issuances and the supplemental toll operation agreements covering SLEx, the North Luzon Expressway and South Metro Manila Skyway.
Once implemented, Class 1 vehicles using SLEx will pay P77 from the current P21; Class 2 vehicles, P155 from P43; and Class 3 vehicles (heavy and multi-wheeler trucks), P232 from P65.
Trucking operators have warned of higher hauling rates once SLTC applies the new toll fee. Members of the Confederation of Truckers Association of the Philippines (CTAP) said they will simply pass on the increase to their clients because they have no capacity to absorb the additional cost.
Earlier, CTAP also urged SLTC to tax business establishments along SLEx to cover a portion of the proposed toll fee increase.
