Reduce SLEX toll, says solon

By Gerry Baldo

06/16/2009

A lawmaker from Parañaque yesterday urged the SkyWay Operations and Maintenance Corp. (Somco) and the Toll Regulatory Board (TRB) to reduce the skyway toll fee while undergoing construction of the Phase-2 project of the Metro Manila Skyway as a concession to motorists.

Rep. Roilo Golez, in House Resolution 1156, said the Skyway is built to serve, assist and provide convenience to motorists who use the Metro Manila Skyway.

“There is an on-going construction of the Metro Manila Skyway Phase 2 from Bicutan to Alabang which delays motorists and causes inconvenience which is contrary to the purpose for which the Skyway is built,” Golez said.

Golez said a toll fee is being collected from motorists for the maintenance and development of the Skyway.

“With the temporary failure of the operational service of the Skyway as a result of the on-going construction, it would be better if they reduce the amount of toll fee they charge to motorists,” Golez said.

Golez said the Somco is the company confirmed by the TRB that shall operate and maintain the South Metro Manila Skyway Projects replacing the Philippine National Construction Corp. (PNCC).

According to Golez, it is under the mandate of the Somco to oversee the traffic and safety management including assistance to motorists, toll way maintenance and engineering and toll collection operation which includes the operation of the Customer Service Center.

Earlier, Skyway employees questioned the transfer of the skyway management from the PNCC to the Skyway O&M Corp. (Somco) saying that the transfer was illegal.

Somco was the company chosen by the Indonesian firm Citra Metro Manila Tollways Corp. to operate the 30-km tollway in the South Luzon Expressway.

Philippine Skyway Employees Union president Jose Apollo Aldo Aldo said that the Amended Supplemental Tollway Operation Agreement, which the PNCC signed “secretly” on July 18, 2007 with the Toll Regulatory Board and Citra/Somco was illegal.

He said that the agreement paved the way for the PSC to transfer its franchise and management of the Skyway to Somco.

Aldo said that former Quezon City Rep. Maite Defensor, PNCC president, was also the one who signed on behalf of PNCC the memorandum of agreement dated Dec. 21, 2007 with Citra. This agreement, according to Aldo, triggered the massive dismissal of the Skyway workers.

The workers were dismissed despite the absence of a plan for them following the takeover.

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