Recto questioned today the timing of toll hike petition of BCDA for SCTex

By Jason de Asis

 

SENATE OFFICE, Manila November 6, 2010-While the expansive toll road is being turned over to a private concessionaire, Sen. Ralph G. Recto today questioned the timing of the toll hike petition of Bases Conversion Development Authority (BCDA) for the Subic-Clark-Tarlac Expressway (SCTex).

 

The Senator asked, “Is the promise of a higher toll fee a welcome gift for the private operator?” adding that it is untimely wherein the BCDA is seeking a toll fee hike while it is in the middle of privatizing the operation and maintenance of SCTex.

 

He said the bases authority might have its priority misplaced by seeking a toll fee increase with the Toll Regulatory Board (TRB), which will adversely affect the motorists who are still getting acquainted with the world-class features of SCTex.

 

Recto opined that instead of cajoling the new private operator to maintain present toll prices while in the months of transition, BCDA made sure that the private concessionaire will have an instant bonanza once they get onboard.

 

BCDA must first ensure that it will be leaving the SCTex under the care of a new manager that would take care of the clients and not be instrumental in taking advantage of them and urged the TRB to conscientiously study the toll hike petition, and better yet, reserve the pleasure of applying for a toll hike to the Metro Pacific Tollways Corp (MPTC) for being the new operator.

 

“The MPTC should apply for an increase in the future, adding that the TRB may even provide some triggers such as a toll hike could only be considered once an ideal number of users is reached or certain segment expansions are met,” he said.

 

SCTex currently caters to only 24,000 motorists daily. 

 

Recto said that once the toll hike petition is approved, motorists using North Luzon Expressway (NLEX) and SCTEx would be whipped with a double whammy since the same private operator is also seeking approval to increase tolls at NLEX by 12 percent.

 

BCDA’s toll hike petition for SCTex would be higher by 12 percent or possibly an additional P3 to P4 per kilometer.

 

The MPTC won the 25-year concession contract from BCDA to operate and maintain the 93.77-kilometer SCTex in exchange for P64.4 billion in concession fees during the duration of the contract. (Jason de Asis)