MANILA: Good news to motorists using the Cavite Expressway (CAVITEX): a “30-day toll holiday” shall be implemented starting July 1.

In a statement, the Toll Regulatory Board (TRB) unanimously approved the proposal from the Philippine Reclamation Authority (PRA) with the agreement and consent of its joint venture partner CAVITEX Infrastructure Corporation (CIC).

CIC President and General Manager Raul Ignacio said that the initiative of not collecting toll fees within the said period shall be conducted in all CAVITEX exits for all classes in support of the TRB’s decision.

“This will help our motorists with the rising cost of fuel and inflation,” Ignacio shared.

It was during the recent inauguration of the CAVITEX C5 Link Segment 2 that President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. announced  the granting of a toll holiday for all expressway segments under the CAVITEX joint venture firm.

“We welcome TRB’s policy and operational decision guided by the general directive of the President – which was arrived at after considering all the implementation details and systems preparation that must be in place,” Ignacio pointed out.

"We commend TRB for the due deliberation that had taken place as part of our Regulator’s decision-making process,” he added.

Following the decision, motorists — regardless of the vehicle class — will enjoy toll-free drives when they use the following CAVITEX exits: Kawit, Paranaque, C5 Link segment Merville and Taguig, and newly-inaugurated Segment 2 (Sucat Interchange).

While the suspension of toll collections covering all exits will result in foregone toll revenues amounting to hundreds of millions of pesos, Ignacio said that the company supports the President’s decision and that of the TRB, "so motorists can enjoy the seamless expressway journeys brought about by modern tollway structures and systems.”

To note, expressway firms need toll receipts to pay lenders, recoup huge investments, and pay operational and administrative personnel.

Ignacio also lauded the Board for having a sober approach in coming up with a decision.  “There is no place for hasty decision making and action-taking for major policies and moves like this,” he added.

Photos from MPT South

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