MANILA — President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo ordered a 10 percent reduction of South Luzon Expressway (SLEX) toll rates effective today and would be in effect for the duration of the SLEX improvement projects.
Press Secretary and concurrent Presidential Spokesperson Ignacio R. Bunye said the President has instructed Department of Transportation and Communications (DOTC) Secretary Leandro Mendoza to implement the order.
The reduced toll fees order was issued after the government noted that motorists using the SLEX are suffering from traffic congestion because of the ongoing road repairs.
The P8.9-billion, 13.5-kilometer rehabilitation work on SLEX is one of the 21 priority road projects exempted from the election ban and are set to be completed before the end of the year.
The SLEX improvement project is in preparation for the governments plan to connect the North Luzon Expressway (NLEX) and the SLEX through the P12.76-billion C-5 Expressway.
The project is part of the super regions development strategy of President Arroyo to boost economic development in the countrys five super regions by strengthening linkages between provinces.
Skyway, which operates SLEX, presently charges P147 for Class 1 vehicles (cars and jeeps), P293 for Class 2 (buses and trucks) and P440 for Class 3 (trucks and trailers) from Alabang to Calamba City in Laguna. (OPS) davaotoday.com
