By Azer N. Parrocha
MANILA, Feb 21 (PNA) — Malacanang on Friday assured that toll fees for the Skyway Stage 3 will be reasonable, considering that it will significantly cut travel time from the usual two hours to less than 20 minutes.
Presidential Communications Operations Office (PCOO) Secretary Herminio Coloma Jr. in a Palace briefing raised the issue amid criticism that the Skyway extension was going impractical because toll fee was costly.
“The toll is reasonable especially if we consider the shortened travel time–time is money,” Coloma said.
“Wala naman po’ng pilitan. Ang ayaw gumamit ng Skyway, hindi naman sila pinipilit. Meron naman silang dadaanan na walang bayad,” he added.
(“We’re not forcing people to use the Skyway. Those who don’t want to use it are not being forced to. They have the option to use other routes wherein they will not need to pay,” he added.)
The projected toll rate for the Skyway Stage 3 is pegged at P11 per kilometer (km), according to the Toll Regulatory Board (TRB).
According to reports, this is comparable to the existing Skyway system which is at P10 per kilometer.
The Skyway Stage 3 project will connect the South Luzon Expressway (SLEX)to the North Luzon Expressway (NLEX) from Buendia to Balintawak.
It aims to decongest Epifanio de los Santos Avenue (EDSA), Circumference Road-5 (C-5) and other major public roads in Metro Manila.
While construction of major infrastructure projects is ongoing, Malacanang encouraged motorists to take alternate routes to avoid traffic congestion. (PNA)