NLEX goes full throttle on road infra, service improvements

There is a renewed interest among Filipinos to travel, and tourism is vibrant again now that the pandemic is over.

In Central and Northern Luzon, beach resorts in Zambales and Pangasinan, surfing resorts in La Union, parks in Baguio, and historical sites in Ilocos Sur and Ilocos Norte are popular sights. To visit these places, vacationers take the North Luzon Expressway.

Although maintaining the road infrastructure and quality of service remains a big challenge, the management of NLEX Corp. through Metro Pacific Tollways Corp. continues to invest in implementing various capital projects to improve NLEX's road quality and motorists' customer experience.

Thus, the recent toll fee adjustment approved by the Toll Regulatory Board (TRB) is of great help to the management of NLEX in carrying out its planned projects, such as improving road conditions and modernizing its toll collection systems.

The TRB allowed NLEX to adjust its rates effective June 15. Under the new toll fee matrix, Class 1 vehicles will pay an additional PHP7, Class 2 vehicles will pay PHP17, and Class 3 vehicles will pay PHP19. The new rates are part of NLEX's allowed period adjustments from 2012, 2014, half of 2018, and 2020, and now 2023 is the fourth and final tranche of adjustments.

In an interview, Rogelio L. Singson, MPTC president and chief executive officer assured motorists could expect improvements to NLEX's road infrastructure and the quality of service.

NLEX will prioritize plans and projects to decongest chokepoints or areas with heavy traffic flow. It plans to build and implement multi-lane barrier-less systems throughout the expressway to improve traffic flow by 30 percent. The plan also includes expanding roads at entry and exit points occasionally filled with vehicles.

Right-of-Way (ROW) acquisition remains a challenge in the road expansion plans of several identified entry and exit points. Hence, NLEX has been coordinating with several local government units and has suggested letting the national government take over these road-widening projects. This way, the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) will manage the budget and maintenance of these roads.

"Admittedly, the improvements in NLEX will not be immediate. There is still much to fix on the roads and our toll collection system. Nonetheless, our chairman, Mr. Manny V. Pangilinan, has instructed us to implement these improvements as soon as possible," Singson said.

But what is more surprising is that many critics now seem active in opposing the latest toll fee adjustment, even though these were pre-programmed and agreed upon by NLEX and the government. Under its agreement with the government, NLEX could file a petition for a rate adjustment with the TRB every two years.

The actual increase is manageable to motorists, as NLEX and TRB have already staggered the collection, which should have occurred in 2012. Hence, the recent adjustment is a win-win for all stakeholders, such as the TRB, NLEX, and even motorists.

The improvements in NLEX since MPTC took over its operations have helped greatly develop the country's Central and Northern Luzon regions. These road infrastructure and service quality improvements have moved goods and people much faster and more cost-efficient, thus spurring the growth of businesses and industries in the regions.

The difference between NLEX today and back in the day is also undeniable. Traveling is much faster and more comfortable, particularly with the opening of various establishments along the expressway where motorists can rest or eat before proceeding to their destination points.

In the end, motorists also stand to benefit from the latest toll adjustment, as it allows MPTC to continue investing in capital projects to maintain NLEX's road infrastructure further, decongest traffic and reduce queues, improve its facilities and services, and ensure the safety of motorists.

Editor’s note: The opinions expressed in the foregoing article are solely the author’s and do not reflect the opinions and beliefs of the Philippine News Agency (PNA) or any other office under the Presidential Communications Office.