GMA action sought on toll fee hike

The National Council for Commuters Protection appealed yesterday to President Arroyo to suspend the toll fee hike imposed by the Toll Regulatory Board without conducting public hearings with Southern Tagalog Arterial Road (STAR) and Coastal Road.

Lawyer Vicente Millora, NCCP chairman said Elvira Manahan, NCCP president made the appeal as they are preparing court action to stop the toll fee increase which was announced during the holidays and implemented on Jan. 1.

“The commuters were never given a chance and our hope for immediate relief is an executive order,” Milliora said. The TRB has earlier justified the petition citing a letter of instruction as basis for the automatic increase.

Julius Corpus, TRB spokesman said that public hearing would only be conducted if a petition from the motorists and commuters were filed before the toll regulatory body. “If nobody files a petition the toll hike will become permanent after 90 days,” he said.  

Corpus cited provisions of Letter of Instruction (LOI) 1334 A, and contracts with the toll operators, which allows the TRB provisional increase before conducting any public hearings.

“The TRB is just following the law, there is nothing irregular,” he said.         – Perseus Echeminada