SLEX toll increase deplored

Homeowners and motorists residing along the Southern Luzon Expressway (SLEX) decried the alleged haphazard approval of the new tollway rates, which took effect yesterday, describing it as "exorbitant, onerous, oppressive and unconscionable."

Linda Caraig, president of the Federation of Homeowners covering the cities of Las Piñas, Parañaque, and Muntinlupa, said the decision of the Toll Regulatory Board (TRB), the government agency tasked to regulate toll rates, was sudden and unexpected, with the announcement of toll rate increases timed so that SLEX and Citra, the company managing the Skyway, could take advantage of the increased volume of vehicles using the expressway this New Year.

"We were not even consulted, no hearing was made and we were not provided a copy of the decision," she said.

Parañaque Rep. Eduardo Zialcita, himself a resident of Merville Subdivision which is along the SLEX, said the announcement of the TRB of the new toll rates was timed perfectly during the holidays so that residents could not avail of any legal remedies.

"The timing was perfect. TRB announced the new toll rates on a holiday purportedly to block efforts from our end to file for a temporary restraining order," Zialcita said. "The TRB offices are conveniently and all too suspiciously closed for the holidays, unable and unwilling to receive any such opposition."

Even in Zialcita’s own turf, the Parañaque courts were closed last Friday and not even a single judge was present to hear and decide on his petition for the court to issue a TRO and/or the writ of preliminary injunction.

He added that come Jan. 15, he will ask Congress to summon officials of TRB and Citra, the company running the Skyway, to explain why the sudden increase of toll fees.

"The tollway companies get their franchise from Congress. So, we would like them to explain to us why the sudden increase in those amounts," he said. "We are just wondering why they have to increase the toll fees when gasoline prices are going down," he asked.

Residents along SLEX fear that traffic will get much worse on the service roads with the increased toll rates. "What is the basis of their computation for the new rates. It’s too high. Residents of the subdivisions along the service roads will now experience heavier traffic because motorists who cannot afford the new toll rates will resort to them," said Joy Tesoro, resident of Marcelo Green Village, Parañaque City.

TRB announced the provisional increase of toll rates for the Skyway and the at-grade section of the effective January 1, 2002 until June 30 when another increase will follow.

Effective yesterday, at exactly 12.01 a.m. motorists will pay the following toll fees Class 1: Skyway P65; at-grade section: Magallanes-Bicutan P15; Bicutan – Sucat P9; and Sucat-Alabang 9. Class 2: Skyway P130; at-grade section; Magallanes-Bicutan P30; Bicutan-Sucat P18; Sucat-Alabang P9, Class 3; Skyway P195; at-grade section Magallanes-Bicutan P45; Bicutan-Sucat P27; and Sucat-Alabang P27.

Alabang residents and class A motorists effective January, instead of paying P16.50, will be paying P24 for using the expressway at-grade section from Magallanes to Alabang.

Bicutan and Merville Subdivision residents will pay P4.50 more, from the P10.50 they paid from Magallanes.

Citra officials said the increases were necessary to pay off its huge debt incurred with the construction of the Skyway.