Marked government vehicles transporting relief goods and equipment for recovery operations following the devastation wrought by typhoon “Uwan” can freely use all the expressways under the San Miguel Corporation (SMC).

The expressways are the Skyway System, South Luzon Expressway (SLEX), STAR Tollway in Batangas, Tarlac–Pangasinan–La Union Expressway (TPLEX), and NAIA Expressway.

Ramon S. Ang, SMC chairman and chief executive officer, said the toll-free access for vehicles mobilized for relief and recovery operations was aimed at ensuring the unimpeded movement of government responders across Luzon.

“Our priority is to make sure responders get to affected communities as quickly as possible. We have always worked with government in times of calamity. It’s part of our responsibility to help and to make sure aid reaches those who need it,” said Ang.

He said the SMC’s toll operations teams are coordinating closely with the Department of Transportation (DOTr) and the Toll Regulatory Board (TRB) to facilitate the implementation of the President Marcos’ order for fast government response.

Ang also disclosed that tollway personnel have been deployed across its expressways to assist emergency convoys.

Bicol Region was the first area that was pounded by “Uwan” with strong winds and heavy rains. The main access to Bicol from Metro Manila is the SLEX.

Eastern Visayas also suffered the brunt of “Uwan” impact, the region is also accessible via a port in Bicol.

For more than a year during the pandemic, SMC waived over P230 million in toll fees for medical frontliners across all its expressways.