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Manila Bulletin devider Business devider The Economy devider MVP's MPTC open to toll-free access amid anticipated EDSA 'Carmageddon'

MVP's MPTC open to toll-free access amid anticipated EDSA 'Carmageddon'

Published May 27, 2025 04:15 pm
Skyway Stage 3 (Manila Bulletin file photo)
Skyway Stage 3 (Manila Bulletin file photo)

As Metro Manila braces for “Carmageddon” due to the upcoming EDSA rehabilitation, Metro Pacific Tollways Corp. (MPTC) is exploring ways to help ease the expected traffic congestion.

On the sidelines of Manila Electric Co.’s (Meralco) annual stockholders’ meeting, Chairman Manuel V. Pangilinan said he is considering extending the free toll on MPTC’s Skyway segments, following the government’s move to waive fees on parts of Skyway stage 3 amid the so-called EDSA “rebuild.”

"I’m glad San Miguel offered the stage 3 Skyway for free. I think we also have a connector—maybe we should do the same," he said, expressing openness to following San Miguel Corp.’s (SMC) lead.

SMC, through its subsidiary SMC Infrastructure, operates and manages Skyway stages 1, 2, and 3. These roads span from Alabang down south of Metro Manila to Balintawak up north. MPTC, on the other hand, developed the North Luzon Expressway (NLEX) connector, an alternative linking road from Caloocan City to Sta. Mesa.

“I think we should… San Miguel has taken the lead here,” Pangilinan added, referring to waiving the toll fees in some areas encompassing Skyway stage 3, which covers certain parts of the cities of Manila, Makati, San Juan, and Quezon City.

“It was a good lead that they’ve [SMC] done. And I think we should follow their example. To help out in the traffic situation, I guess, for the next two years or so,” he shared.

Transportation Secretary Vince Dizon initially announced that the toll-free initiative would take effect when the EDSA rebuild project starts on June 13.

Although the government has yet to specify which segments of the elevated expressway will be toll-free, the Department of Transportation (DOTr) expects this measure to offer motorists additional alternative routes during the construction period.

Moreover, the developments in EDSA could take at least one and a half to two years to complete.

While concerns over potential revenue losses remain, the DOTr has assured it is coordinating with the Toll Regulatory Board (TRB) to offset the income loss, including possibly extending SMC’s concession agreement on the 17.93-kilometer (km) Skyway stage 3.

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