• MPTC hopeful of toll hike approval

Metro Pacific Tollways Corp. (MPTC), the holding company of NLEX, SCTEX and CAVITEX, is hoping for the Toll Regulatory Board’s approval of its toll hike petition, pointing out that its rejection could impair the company’s ability to implement road improvement projects.

In an interview, MPTC president and CEO Rodrigo Franco told reporters the company has been investing in road improvement initiatives over the years even if it hasn’t been granted toll adjustments.

“We spend billions in additional investments for improvements, widening and anti-congestion measures,” Franco said.

“Sooner or later, our ability to fund those investments will be affected if we will not be able to adjust (toll). It’s been six years since the last toll adjustment was implemented,” Franco added.

MPTC previously filed petitions for toll rate increases for NLEX in 2013, 2015 and this year. However, the TRB has not acted on it.

“We’re waiting for the decision of the TRB, but as I said, we already submitted a program to mitigate the impact of inflation,” Franco said.

He said the company has already submitted a proposal to the TRB that exempts food delivery vehicles from a toll hike for a limited period to address inflation costs.

MPTC has asked for a nine percent toll hike for NLEX.

Franco earlier said the MPTC has agreed to a staggered toll hike, noting that a one-time increase would not be acceptable to the public and motorists.

MPTC said it continues to implement several expansion and enhancement projects for the three expressways.

Among these is the construction of new toll lanes in four toll plazas in Pampanga aimed at matching the rapid pace of the province’s traffic growth. Among these toll plazas are the San Fernando (southbound entry and exit), Mexico and Angeles.

“Two more toll lanes at the San Fernando southbound (SB) exit and one additional toll lane at the SB entry are in the works to accommodate the increasing traffic volume. The Angeles toll plaza will be augmented with two entry lanes and one exit lane, while another toll lane will be built at the Mexico northbound exit,” the company said.

Additional lanes will likewise be constructed at the connecting ramps of NLEX and SCTEX in Mabalacat City.

Moreover, the Cavitex Infrastructure Corp. is also set to fully open the Marina left-turning flyover to pave the way for smoother traffic flow and eliminate the existing traffic lights.

All these enhancements are expected to be completed by the end of this year.