Rise in toll still up in the air

The proposed hike in road fees sought by private operators of three major highways in Luzon is still up in the air, as government regulators appear to be dragging their feet in approving the toll adjustments.

According to the Toll Regulatory Board (TRB), the agency that approves adjustments in highway fees, members of its board have yet to sit down and discuss the proposed hikes in toll at Subic-Clark-Tarlac Expressway (SCTEx), the Southern Tagalog Arterial Road (Star Toll) and the Manila Cavite Toll Expressway Project.

“We assure motorists that there will be no surprises. Toll adjustments cannot be implemented yet,” TRB spokesperson Julius Corpuz said in an interview.

Operators of the three highways filed their petitions to increase rates by Jan. 1, in line with the provisions of their respective concession contracts with the government.

The delay was caused by an issue raised by lawyer Ernesto Francisco concerning the rules and procedures covering the TRB’s public consultation hearings earlier this month.

The hearings were held to comply with the legal requirement of allowing private citizens the right to be heard on issues involving any increase in public fees. Francisco had questioned the absence of representatives from the Office of the Solicitor General, as well as the complete board that makes up the TRB, during the hearing.

The TRB decided to put off the proceedings to let board members discuss the lawyer’s questions.

Corpuz said the TRB as an agency had no control over the schedules of members of its board, who occupy positions in other agencies.

“They are just ex-officio members,” Corpuz said.

Members of the TRB include representatives from the Department of Transportation and Communications, the Department of Public Works and Highways, the Department of Finance, National Economic Development Authority and a member of the private sector.

Corpuz said there was still no scheduled meeting between members of the TRB.

The Bases Conversion and Development Administration (BCDA), which operates SCTEx, said the fees stipulated in its petition were already pre-approved in its concession contract with the government.

“Our request is based on certain projections for revenues which have been previously studied. So whatever increase BCDA is asking for is based on reasonable projections,” BCDA president Arnel Casanova said.