Monday, February 06, 2006
Public works hikes toll rates by 50%
EFFECTIVE this month, the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPH) will increase toll collected along the main highways of Baguio and Benguet.
The increase, said DPWH Mariano Alquiza, is 50 percent more than the existing fees, adding the tollgates are aiming to double their collection to P15 million this year.
Last year, the Kennon and Acop (in Tublay) tollgates reported they collected a total of P7,272,469, an increase of 11 percent from the 2004 collections amounting to P6,546,746.
Alquiza said the highest toll increase that will be implemented this year is P20 while the lowest is P5, the former will be collected from double axle trucks and the latter from owner type jeeps.
Buses, single axle trucks, vans and pickups will be paying P10.
The rate increases would be applicable along Kennon, the Baguio-Bontoc (Halsema Highway), and the Baguio-Bauang (Naguilian) roads.
Alquiza said the increase will be implemented anytime this month as soon as the old tickets are used up.
He explained it is high time to implement the much-needed increase in toll fees, saying the last increase was way back in 1968.
Alquiza explained the toll fee hike is not part of the expanded value added tax coverage.
Funds generated from the toll stations are remitted daily to the national treasury. (JC)
(February 6, 2006 issue)
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