CLARK FREEPORT – This province’s first district Rep. Carmelo Lazatin backed yesterday Sen. Ralph Recto’s objection to the petition of the Bases Conversion Development Authority (BCDA) for a 43.5-percent hike in the Subic-Clark-Tarlac Expressway (SCTEX) toll to P2.87 per kilometer, amid expected new appointments for top BCDA posts.
“Top executives of the BCDA are expected to be replaced by the Aquino administration anytime. The timing of such petition is therefore inappropriate,” Lazatin told Punto in a telephone interview.
The BCDA filed recently a toll hike petition before the Toll Regulatory Board (TRB) for an 87-centavos increase in toll for Class A vehicles from the current P2 per kilometer rate at the SCTEX.
“For another thing, why make such a petition when it (BCDA) reportedly plans to look for a private company to run the STEX?” Lazatin asked.
Lazatin cited information that the Aquino administration plans to name a new president and chief executive officer for the BCDA to replace retired military officer Narciso Abaya.
He also cited reports that top executives at both BCDA agencies Clark Development Corp. (CDC) and Clark International Airport Corp., (CIAC) would soon be replaced.
Lazatin cited reports that retired international banker Benito Gonzales, from the President’s hometown in Concepcion, Tarlac, would take over the BCDA and, in concurrent capacity, CDC posts, while Cesar Villanueva of the Ateneo law department is a top contender for the CIAC post.
Earlier, Recto also questioned the timing of the toll hike petition of BCDA. “Is the promise of a higher toll fee a welcome gift for the private operator?” Recto asked.
“The timing is suspect and patently ill-timed. BCDA is seeking a toll fee hike while it is in the middle of privatizing the operation and maintenance of SCTEX?” he added.
Recto said the move of BCDA is tantamount to an “inconsiderate nanny suddenly abandoning her ward and leaving the poor baby at the mercy of a Nanny McPhee who charges a fortune.”
In a statement, SCTEX spokesperson and program manager for operational support services Robert Gervacio said the proposed toll rate adjustment would fund the repayment of the principal and interest of the loan granted by the of Japanese government through the Japan Bank for International Cooperation (JBIC) that will start in 2011. The JBIC loan mainly bankrolled the construction of the SCTEX.
“The increase is a fair amount that will allow us to fulfill and sustain our obligations to both our creditors and motorists,” the BCDA said.
However, the toll rate adjustment is still not final pending TRB review and approval.
At the same time, the BCDA assured that the increase would enable it to sustain the high level of service efficiency at the SCTEX.
Motorists using the country’s most modern toll road enjoy the following benefits: savings on time and fuel, less vehicle wear and tear, less spoilage for produce, and stress-free and safe driving.
“The increased toll fee will be worth every centavo,” Gervacio added. “The SCTEX is a brand-new expressway designed to facilitate the speedy transfer of people, goods and services in the region.”
When approved, the proposed new toll rate matrix will be implemented starting Jan. 1, 2011. “We believe that our petition is justifiable, but we will abide by the decision of the TRB,” Gervacio said.
The BCDA noted that since the opening of the toll roads, additional works have been implemented through the construction of three additional interchanges (Clark South, Porac and Floridablanca) and the Panday Pira access road. The Panday Pira road, which is the access road to and from Clark via the Clark North interchange, was completed on Dec. 23, 2008. The Clark South interchange was completed on April 4, 2009 while the Porac and Floridablanca Interchanges were completed on July 31, 2009.
“Top executives of the BCDA are expected to be replaced by the Aquino administration anytime. The timing of such petition is therefore inappropriate,” Lazatin told Punto in a telephone interview.
The BCDA filed recently a toll hike petition before the Toll Regulatory Board (TRB) for an 87-centavos increase in toll for Class A vehicles from the current P2 per kilometer rate at the SCTEX.
“For another thing, why make such a petition when it (BCDA) reportedly plans to look for a private company to run the STEX?” Lazatin asked.
Lazatin cited information that the Aquino administration plans to name a new president and chief executive officer for the BCDA to replace retired military officer Narciso Abaya.
He also cited reports that top executives at both BCDA agencies Clark Development Corp. (CDC) and Clark International Airport Corp., (CIAC) would soon be replaced.
Lazatin cited reports that retired international banker Benito Gonzales, from the President’s hometown in Concepcion, Tarlac, would take over the BCDA and, in concurrent capacity, CDC posts, while Cesar Villanueva of the Ateneo law department is a top contender for the CIAC post.
Earlier, Recto also questioned the timing of the toll hike petition of BCDA. “Is the promise of a higher toll fee a welcome gift for the private operator?” Recto asked.
“The timing is suspect and patently ill-timed. BCDA is seeking a toll fee hike while it is in the middle of privatizing the operation and maintenance of SCTEX?” he added.
Recto said the move of BCDA is tantamount to an “inconsiderate nanny suddenly abandoning her ward and leaving the poor baby at the mercy of a Nanny McPhee who charges a fortune.”
In a statement, SCTEX spokesperson and program manager for operational support services Robert Gervacio said the proposed toll rate adjustment would fund the repayment of the principal and interest of the loan granted by the of Japanese government through the Japan Bank for International Cooperation (JBIC) that will start in 2011. The JBIC loan mainly bankrolled the construction of the SCTEX.
“The increase is a fair amount that will allow us to fulfill and sustain our obligations to both our creditors and motorists,” the BCDA said.
However, the toll rate adjustment is still not final pending TRB review and approval.
At the same time, the BCDA assured that the increase would enable it to sustain the high level of service efficiency at the SCTEX.
Motorists using the country’s most modern toll road enjoy the following benefits: savings on time and fuel, less vehicle wear and tear, less spoilage for produce, and stress-free and safe driving.
“The increased toll fee will be worth every centavo,” Gervacio added. “The SCTEX is a brand-new expressway designed to facilitate the speedy transfer of people, goods and services in the region.”
When approved, the proposed new toll rate matrix will be implemented starting Jan. 1, 2011. “We believe that our petition is justifiable, but we will abide by the decision of the TRB,” Gervacio said.
The BCDA noted that since the opening of the toll roads, additional works have been implemented through the construction of three additional interchanges (Clark South, Porac and Floridablanca) and the Panday Pira access road. The Panday Pira road, which is the access road to and from Clark via the Clark North interchange, was completed on Dec. 23, 2008. The Clark South interchange was completed on April 4, 2009 while the Porac and Floridablanca Interchanges were completed on July 31, 2009.
