Independent oil players join opposition to SLEX toll hike
THE independent oil players joined the call of militant groups and other sectors of society in opposing the 250 percent increase in toll at the South Luzon Expressway (SLEX) saying it will result to higher prices of goods, including fuel, due to delivery charges.
The opposition was aired yesterday by the Independent Philippine Petroleum Companies Association (IPPCA), composed of the country’s leading independent oil players. According to IPPCA Chair Fernando Martinez, instead of forcing the public to cough up the amount to pay the hike in toll, it would do well for the government to suspend the implementation of Executive Order 890 signed by outgoing President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo which mandated a zero tariff on crude oil and finished products.
He said the implementation of the EO would result to a P10-billion loss of revenues to the government. "The said amount is enough to pay off the Malaysian investors in the said SLEX expansions," Martinez claimed. IPPCA reiterated that the solution to this problem is to stop the implementation on the zero tariff on crude oil and finished products. Martinez further explained that the combined collection of the three percent tariff of around P10 billion plus the road tax of P7 billion (a total of P17 billion) are enough to make a 15-kilometer new expressways every year.
by Anthony Munoz published at Commuter Express