No toll rate hikes expected on Jan. 1

The plan of three major highway operators to impose a toll increase starting January 1 may not push through.

According to the Toll Regulatory Board (TRB), procedural delays have kept the government from approving the petitions for toll increases at the Manila-Cavite Toll Expressway or Coastal Road, the Southern Tagalog Arterial Road (Star Toll) and the Subic-Clark-Tarlac Expressway (SCTEx).

“The board has not met yet and there is no scheduled board meeting for the rest of the week so a decision cannot be made,” TRB spokesman Julius Corpuz said in an interview Wednesday.

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

Under the law, adjustments in toll rates need a three-week notice before being implemented.

Corpuz said since there are less than three weeks before the end of the year, the “logical conclusion” would be that an increase in toll would not be possible by January 1. Companies are entitled to periodic increases in toll rates to allow them to recover the money they spent on building the highways they operate on the government’s behalf.

Issue raised

The delay was caused by an issue raised by lawyer Ernesto Francisco about 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 increases 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, at the hearing.

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

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 operators of Star Toll and the Coastal Road have already written the TRB “reiterating their requests for adjustments.”

“But the matter has yet to be brought up to the board so we cannot do anything yet,” he added.