SLEX toll hike takes effect in August

The Philippine National Construction Corp. (PNCC) announced yesterday it was increasing the toll at the South Luzon Expressway (SLEX) effective 12:01 a.m. on Tuesday, Aug. 1, 2006.

The increase will only affect the Alabang-Calamba route, which is currently covered by the toll franchise of PNCC.

The toll adjustment has been deferred twice to accommodate government and public clamor. The increase was supposed to be effective Jan. 1, 2006 and again last May 15, 2006.

The new rates that will be taking effect on Aug. 1 were submitted to the Toll Regulatory Board (TRB) by the PNCC in September 2005.

Toll adjustments are provided for under Presidential Decree 1894, which allows the PNCC an annual increase in its toll prices.

The new rates were computed to accommodate cost increase in factors affecting the return-on-rate base formula, a method approved by the TRB in computing for rate adjustments, between the period July 2004 to June 2005.

Some factors considered in the computation include the increase of prices in equipment, property and plant valuation of the tollway; its two-month average working capital; and the deficiency on the actual revenue versus the computed revenue based on invested capital.

The new rates for Class 1 vehicles will be P27 from its present rate of P21. The rates for Class 2 and 3 vehicles will likewise be adjusted accordingly. Class 2 vehicles will pay P53 from 41; while Class 3 vehicles will pay P80 from P62.

Despite this increase in toll, rates at SLEX remain the lowest among all tollways in the country. – Rhodina Villanueva