Senator Ramon "Bong" Revilla, Jr. on Friday (June 21) hailed the Philippine Reclamation Authority (PRA) for its move to suspend the collection of toll fees in some parts of the Manila-Cavite Toll Expressway (CAVITEX).

In a statement, Revilla said that this would help alleviate the public's woes from the rising cost of fuel.

President Marcos announced that the collection of toll fee for all vehicles passing through CAVITEX in Taguig, Parañaque, Las Piñas, Bacoor, and Kawit is suspended for 30 days.

The said month-long toll suspension was announced by President Marcos during the three-fold CAVITEX event for the groundbreaking ceremony of the CAVITEX-CALAX Link, groundbreaking ceremony of the CAVITEX C5 Link Segment 3B, and the inauguration of the CAVITEX C5 Link Sucat Interchange (Segment 2), held on Friday, June 21.

“Sobra kong ikinatutuwa ang inisyatibo ng PRA na suspindihin ang pagsingil ng toll sa ilang parte ng CAVITEX (I was really glad with PRA's initiative to suspend collection of toll fees in some parts of Cavitex). This will surely provide ease to the public especially that cost of goods and prices are rising,” Revilla said.

“Malaking pasasalamat rin sa ating Pangulong Bongbong Marcos dahil batid niya ang kalagayan at danas ng ating mga kababayan, lalo na ang ordinaryong tao na makakatipid dahil sa 30-day toll suspension na ito (My deepest gratitude also goes to President Bongbong Marcos because he knows of the hardships being experienced by our citizens, especially the ordinary people who will save a lot from the 30-day toll suspension),” the senator added.

PRA, as the operator of CAVITEX, will implement the said toll holiday in Taguig, Parañaque, Las Piñas, and Kawit. Though no target date was mentioned for the commencement of the suspension, the Toll Regulatory Board (TRB) was directed for swift implementation of the order.

Meanwhile, Revilla also praised the continuing infrastructure development throughout the country, especially in Cavite and Southern Luzon.

“We are really entering a golden age of infrastructure development! Dito pa lang sa Cavite, ramdam na ramdam na ang mga makakabuluhang proyekto ng pamahalaan na paniguradong maghahatid ng malaking benepisyo sa ating mga kababayan (Here in Cavite alone, we can really feel the effects of these significant government projects that will surely be of great benefit to our citizens),” the chairperson of the Senate Committee on Public Works said.

“Caviteños are eagerly excited and anticipating the completion of these expressway links, as well as the completion of LRT Line 1 Extension that would provide fast and efficient travel for the transporting public,” the veteran lawmaker added.

Revilla also appealed to the public’s patience and understanding as these projects go under construction.

“Ngayon pa lang ay hihingin na natin ang pangunawa ng publiko sa posibleng dulot ng construction ng mga daan na ito (This early I would like to ask for the public's understanding for the possible effects of the construction these roads) Rest assured that we will remind the DPWH and the contractors to be efficient and timely in delivering results. Excited na po ako sa mga development na ito kaya sama-sama po tayong sumuporta dito (I'm excited for all of these developments, so why let's all support these!),” he said.