CITY OF MALOLOS—Bulacan officials defended paying worth P600,000 worth of full page advertisements on three national dailies expressing their contradiction on the new toll hikes at the North Luzon Expressway (NLEX) saying it came as an insult to them and would create a further effect to other goods and commodities from North and Central Luzon that are being brought to Metro Manila to increase in costs.
At a called meeting with Manila North Tollways Corporation (MNTC) and Traffic Management Corporation, (TMC) which respectively manages and operates the NLEX including bus and jeepney transport groups representatives at the provincial board session hall here Wednesday, members of the provincial board said the increase on rates effective Jan. 1 surprised and caught them unaware and rendered them blind on how to explain it to their constituents.
Board Member Felix Ople from the first district said they felt insulted when a major portion in the NLEX is located in Bulacan but they were not advised or informed by MNTC and TMC officials of the increased in toll rates making them appear ignorant before the residents asking them about the details of the new rates.
Board Member and lawyer Enrique Dela Cru z from the second district, chairman on transportation committee at the provincial board said the sudden increase in the toll rates despite prior newspaper publications and announcements caught many Bulakenyos by surprise and yet not a single voice opposition has come out necessitating them to publish minutes of their recent meeting expressing their contradiction.
“Wala man lang tumutol o nagsalita. Wala pa tayong narinig sa mga taga Pampanga, Pangasinan, kaya’t nauna na tayo rito sa Bulacan,” he said.
Dela Cruz said it was an order by Gov. Wilhelmino Sy-Alvarado to discuss and present oppositions on the new rates during their previous session and to come out with paid advertisement of their opposition to at least three major national dailies to let the MNTC and NLEX officials knew of their stand on the increase.
Dela Cruz questioned the alleged 13 % increase in toll rates amidst alleged no recent and latest improvements and developments made on the NLEX in favor of the motorists.
He also questioned the alleged bloated income of P109.5 billion by the MNTC from its 25 years contract projection of managing the NLEX, compared to only P21 billion worth of loans it incurred for the construction of the highway and its maintenance.
However, Vice Gov. Daniel Fernando acknowledged presenting an erroneous claim of 13 % increase in the toll rates whereas the actual increase is only 11.8%.
Fernando said their first knowledge was a 13% increase.
According to Fernando, there was no obvious recent developments on the NLEX.
Representatives from different bus companies—ES bus Transport, Baliuwag Transit Corp, Five-Star Bus Company, Victory Liner including jeepney transport groups also expressed their contradiction to the new toll rates.
But, Marlene Ochoa, vice president for corporate communications of MNTC told NEWS CORE during interview at the meeting that jeepney transport groups plying routes for Monumento-Meycauayan and Bocaue including in San Fernando Pampanga to Dau and other areas are exempted from the rate increase.
Benigno Valles, senior manager for corporate communications of TMC said the said jeepney routes have their respective Pasada and Tsuper Card demanding from them a minimal P190.00 whole day 24 hour payment for using the NLEX.
Ochoa and other officials of their company acknowledged committing a shortcoming with the Bulacan officials of not prior making information or communication of the new toll rates come Jan. 1.
However, she said, the toll fee increase is based on road user’s choice. “Maganda naman ang serbisyo at facility ng NLEX, kung sino lang naman ang gusting dumaan, it’s a choice, kung gusto dumaan sa magandang kalsada, magbayad ng ganoong fee at yung ayaw naman ay doon sa libre dumaan,” she said.
Ochoa, defended the new toll increase as only toll rate adjustment with only a very minimal 11.8 percent increase from the current rates is lower than the opening rates in 2005.
Today’s minimum toll for class 1 vehicles is at P41.00 from P36.00 compared to P42.00 when the NLEX re-opened under MNTC-TMC sister companies both under the Metro Pacific Tollways Corporation new management in 2005.
The previous P64.00 Tabang toll to Balintawak Plaza is now at P72.00 for class 1 vehicles. Balintawak to Sta. Ines for class 1 vehicles is at a new rate of P195.00.
She said the January 2007 toll rates went down by 11. 6 percent and the July 2008 toll rates further went down from the previous 2007 rates by 3.1 percent.
Valles said the new rate notice had been long announced and advised to the public.
Ochoa said the new toll rate is based on provisional authority given to them by the Land Transportation Franchise and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) and will be implemented while a public hearing will also be conducted.
She said the toll being collected is worth because of the high quality services being offered and returned to all motorists using the NLEX because.
She said the highway is smooth and there is no area with holes and that can cause traffic.
She said recent road traffic and safety improvement facilities acquired such as accordion type accident impact reducer, lane management vehicle and intervention vehicles further completes the good services returned to the motorists.
Valles said the Intervention Vehicles and four Lane Management Vehicles roaming along the NLEX help guide and warn motorists of possible road abuses and shortcomings that can lead to accidents.
He added the opening of the Mindanao Avenue Link also eases up traffic along Balintawak toll plaza.