SLEX toll collection legal - PNCC

MANILA, Philippines – State-controlled Philippine National Construction Corp. (PNCC) yesterday said the toll collection on the South Luzon Expressway (SLEX) after the expiration of PNCC’s franchise on April 30, 2007 was legal.

Atty. Chat Zamora, PNCC spokesperson, said they have submitted to Finance Secretary Cesar Purisima a comprehensive report showing, among others, that the PNCC had turned over to the national government, through the Toll Regulatory Board, the facilities, equipment and toll operations of SLEX three days before its franchise expired, as contained in Presidential Decree 1113.

The TRB issued a toll operation certificate (TOC) effective May 1, 2007, authorizing the PNCC to act as an interim operator of SLEX.

The TRB’s authority to issue a TOC is provided for under Presidential Decree 1112.

An interim operator for SLEX was required to continue its operations since the South Luzon Tollway Corp. (SLTC) was still in the process of undertaking the expressway’s rehabilitation and expansion. 

The TRB determined that the PNCC remained the most logical and capable choice.

The PNCC reiterated its readiness to comply with the finance department’s directives regarding funds owed to the national government in accordance with the proper legal authorization, since it is accountable to more than 5,000 private minority shareholders, aside from the national government which is the majority shareholder.