Press Release
July 8, 2009

REVILLA BACKS 50% SLASH ON SLEx, SKYWAY TOLL RATES

Citing financial and emotional hassles endured by private motorists and drivers of public utility vehicles (PUVs), Senator Bong Revilla today expressed support to the proposed 50 percent toll discount in the South Luzon Expressway (SLEx) and Skyway where there is slow flow of vehicles due to its ongoing repair.

According to Revilla, it is only proper that the full toll rate in Slex and Skyway be cut in half because of the inconvenience its rehabilitation is causing to the hundred thousands of motorists that regularly pass the said roadways. "While the widening and repair continues, toll rates should be discounted until the full rehabilitation of Slex and Skyway is complete and the smooth and speedy travel is ensured. It is unfair to pay the full price of a still half-baked service," he said.

The senator is referring to the recommendation of Parañaque Rep. Eduardo Zialcita and Zambales Rep. Ma. Milagros Magsaysay that private and public vehicles should be given a 50 percent discount on the toll rates in the Slex. He also agrees with the proposal of another Parañaque lawmaker, Rep. Roilo Golez, that there should also be a fifty percent discount in the Skyway toll rates.

Revilla stressed that the Toll Regulatory Board (TRB) should be considerate with the plight of private motorists and PUVs drivers who have no choice but to endure regularly the stress and expenses of using the SLEx. He added same consideration should be given by the Skyway Operations and Maintenance Corporation (SOMCo.), the operator of Skyway. "Right now, motorists are incurring the burden of passing through SLEx and Skyway in terms of additional time and fuel consumption because of the traffic. In effect, they are shortchanging the roadway users," he said.

At the same time, he urged the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) and the Philippine National Construction Corporation (PNCC) to ensure that it will meet its 2009 deadline for the completion of the rehabilitation project in SLEx. "They must fulfill their promise to the public that the rehabilitation will be completed before this year ends. If the project will be delayed, it will need additional fund at the expense of taxpayer's money," said Revilla, chairman of the Senate Committee on Public Works.

Revilla said he will ask the DPWH and PNCC for the status update of the SLEx to determine if the project can really be finished before the end of 2009.

Over 250,000 vehicles pass through the SLEx every day, with an average 15 percent increase on holidays. Its rehabilitation started in 2006 and expected to finish this year. Formerly a 4-lane expressway from the approach to the Alabang Viaduct in Muntinlupa City to Brgy. Turbina in Calamba, Laguna, it has been widened to eight lanes from Alabang Viaduct to Sta. Rosa, and to six lanes from Sta. Rosa to Brgy. Turbina. It is also being extended by another 8 kilometers from Brgy. Turbina to Sto. Tomas in Batangas to link the SLEx to the Southern Tagalog Arterial Road (STAR).

On the other hand, the Metro Manila Skyway (MMSW) or Skyway is an elevated highway crossing over much of the existing SLEx. It begins in Brgy. San Isidro , Makati City , and ends in San Martin de Porres, Parañaque City . In the future, it will extend 11 kilometers from San Martin de Porres to Alabang and will be connected to North Luzon Expressway (NLEx).

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