Solon wants SLEX toll fee collection suspended or lowered for 6 months

Laguna 3rd District Rep. Sol Aragones filed Monday a resolution urging operators of the South Luzon Expressway (SLEx) to either suspend its toll fee collection or lower its rates for six months. Pathricia Roxas/INQUIRER.net

MANILA, Philippines — Laguna 3rd District Rep. Sol Aragones filed Monday a resolution urging the operators of the South Luzon Expressway (SLEX) to either suspend its toll fee collection or lower its rates for six months amid the heavy traffic being experienced by motorists in the area for several weeks now.

Portions of SLEX have been closed due to the ongoing construction of the Skyway extension, which Aragones said had caused “gridlock” and “severe inconvenience to motorists and commuters plying the expressway.”

“The motorists and commuters should be provided relief from the inconvenience caused by the worsening traffic conditions in the expressway,” Aragones added in the House Resolution No. 428.

“Ito’y magkakaroon ng diskusyon at mapapag-usapan ‘yung win-win solution kung saan magiging maayos para sa ating mga motorista at magiging maayos dito sa operator,” she added in a separate interview.

(This proposal will be discussed and we’ll talk about the win-win solution for motorists and the operator.)

The district representative said her proposal was based on her constituents’ clamor. She said the measure could be lifted once the traffic situation improves in the area.

“‘Yung reduction ipinapaubaya na po natin ‘yun dun sa hearing, kung ano’ng mapagkakasunduan ng mga motorista at ng TRB na hindi naman sila maaagrabyado,” Aragones said.

(The reduction in toll rates would be based on what the motorists and the Toll Regulatory Board would agree on during the hearing, the reduction in rate should be reasonable.)

READ: SLEx operator faces penalties

The House may start to tackle the resolution once it resumes session on November 4. /jpv