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Manila Bulletin devider Business devider Trade & Industry devider SMC, Metro Pacific to offer toll discounts to curb logistics costs

SMC, Metro Pacific to offer toll discounts to curb logistics costs

Published Mar 20, 2026 02:41 pm
Private operators of three major tollways will grant a two-month discount for public utility vehicles (PUVs), public utility buses (PUBs), and trucks used for freight services in response to rising fuel prices.
In a statement, the Department of Transportation (DOTr) said vehicles plying the North Luzon Expressway (NLEX), South Luzon Expressway (SLEX), and Southern Tagalog Arterial Road (STAR) Tollway will enjoy cheaper tolls beginning Monday, March 23.
These discounts will be provided through a rebate system, which will be credited weekly to all qualified vehicles.
While the DOTr did not detail how the tollway operators calculated the discounts, it said that motorists can save as much as ₱72 through the program.
For PUVs under Class 1, which include both traditional and modern jeepneys, savings range from as low as ₱3 to as high as ₱18.
PUBs, classified under Class 2, can see savings between ₱5 to ₱47.
Meanwhile, trucks involved in logistics and the movement of essential goods may save ₱8 to ₱72, depending on the tollway.
The DOTr said these discounts will be implemented for an initial period of two months, which may be extended subject to review.
The two-month reprieve follows talks between Acting Transportation Secretary Giovanni Lopez and San Miguel Corp. (SMC) and Metro Pacific Tollways Corp. (MPTC), as the DOTr sought to ease the impact of elevated fuel prices on motorists.
Toll Regulatory Board (TRB) Executive Director Jay Art Tugade said both operators agreed to “voluntarily implement a temporary toll discount for essential transport sectors.”
SMC, through its tollway arm SMC Tollways Corp., operates SLEX and STAR Tollway. On the other hand, MPTC, a unit of Pangilinan-led Metro Pacific Investments Corp. (MPIC), is the operator behind NLEX.
Lopez said he is grateful to SMC and MPTC for their participation in the government’s efforts to alleviate the effects of soaring gas prices on the transport sector.
“This is a big help to our PUV drivers, commuters, as well as to our consumers and business owners amid the oil crisis we are currently facing,” he said.
Earlier, the DOTr moved to provide a 50 percent discount on fares for the Metro Rail Transit Line 3 (MRT-3) and Light Rail Transit Line 2 (LRT-2) to help commuters, which is also set to begin on Monday.
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