Gabriela Women’s Party Representative Arlene Brosas has strongly condemned the recent toll increases approved for the North Luzon Expressway (NLEX), stating that it is “adding salt to injury” during a time when the public is grappling with the escalating costs of goods and services.

“Any toll hike approved by the Toll Regulatory Board is adding salt to injury as it will eventually jack up bus fares, prices of agricultural produce, and basic goods from the provinces transported through NLEX,” Brosas stated.

NLEX Corp announced that the Toll Regulatory Board has authorized a second tranche of periodic toll adjustments based on their 2018 and 2020 petitions. Under the new rates, end-to-end travel from Metro Manila to Mabalacat City will cost an additional P27 for private vehicles, P68 for buses, and P81 for trucks.

“A gradual increase does not lessen the impact. It comes at a time when prices of basic utilities and services are already soaring,” she added. “It’s like slowly suffocating consumers as traders will inevitably pass on these additional costs.”

Motorists will face an immediate increase in travel costs, with private vehicle users paying an extra P27, bus passengers potentially seeing higher fares, and truck operators incurring an additional P81. These hikes will likely lead to increased transportation costs for goods, exacerbating the financial strain on consumers who are already dealing with high prices across the board.

Brosas pledged to file a House resolution challenging and opposing the NLEX toll hike, which she believes will further burden the Filipino people.

“A toll increase, even if gradual, will still burden the riding public who are already struggling with soaring prices. This decision reflects the government’s rejection of its responsibility to provide affordable services, showing a disregard for the plight of ordinary Filipinos. We will file a resolution to investigate the basis of this toll hike,” Rep. Brosas concluded.