MNTC to abide by TRB order on toll rates

ANGELES CITY — The Manila North Tollways Corp. (MNTC) assured motorists yesterday that it will abide by the notice of the Toll Regulatory Board (TRB) not to raise toll rates on the North Luzon Expressway (NLEX).

Marlene Ochoa, MNTC vice president for information, admitted that her company earlier had planned to pass on to motorists the 10 percent expanded value-added tax (EVAT) starting last Nov. 1, but did not do so upon the TRB’s order.

Imposing the 10 percent EVAT, according to Ochoa, would have raised by P4 the current rate of P42 for motorists using the NLEX’s so-called "closed system," and by 25 centavos the rate of P2.45 per kilometer in the "open system."

"But the 10 percent increase was supposed to be remitted entirely to the Bureau of Internal Revenue, and none of it would be retained by the BIR," Ochoa said.

With the TRB order, she said motorists are assured that no toll hikes will be implemented.

TRB sources said the order to "defer" the imposition of the EVAT on NLEX toll rates was triggered by questions of whether such fees could be covered by the new tax law since it would affect consumers using the tollways.

They said the TRB’s deferment order, which covered all tollways nationwide, is expected to be indefinite.

Ochoa said the non-implementation of EVAT on toll rates means that tollway operators will not remit anything to the BIR, except the usual taxes required of them.

Under its contract with the government, the MNTC can adjust its toll rates only once every two years, she said, adding that such adjustments are to be dictated by the peso-dollar exchange rate and inflation.

"If the peso will continue to strengthen two years from now, it is even possible that the MNTC would even lower its toll rates," she said. — Ding Cervantes