Manila: The third and final tranche of toll rate adjustments for the Subic-Clark-Tarlac Expressway (SCTEX) will begin on Sept. 9.
According to Philippines News Agency, the Toll Regulatory Board (TRB) has authorized an additional 64 centavos per kilometer for Class 1 vehicles, including cars, jeepneys, vans, pickups, and motorcycles. For Class 2, which comprises larger sports utility vehicles and those with trailers, the rate increase is PHP1.29 per kilometer. Class 3, consisting of heavy trucks and other large commercial vehicles with three or more axles, will see an increase of PHP1.93 per kilometer. These adjustments follow strict compliance with regulatory procedures and thorough review, stemming from the approved 2020/2022 petition for periodic adjustments for SCTEX due in 2021 and 2023.
The TRB, along with the Bases Conversion and Development Authority and NLEX Corporation, agreed to implement these adjustments in three tranches over three years, aiming to mitigate the impact on motorists. For instanc
e, Class 1 vehicles traveling from Mabalacat City, Pampanga (Mabiga Interchange) to Tarlac will incur an additional PHP25, while Class 2 and Class 3 vehicles will face increases of PHP51 and PHP75, respectively.
Motorists traveling between Mabalacat City (Mabiga Interchange) and Tipo, Hermosa, Bataan (near Subic Freeport) will be charged additional fees of PHP40 for Class 1, PHP80 for Class 2, and PHP121 for Class 3 vehicles. Travelers covering the entire SCTEX stretch from Tipo to Tarlac will pay an additional PHP66, PHP131, and PHP197 for Class 1, Class 2, and Class 3 vehicles, respectively.
In recent years, various infrastructure and enhancement projects have been executed along SCTEX to bolster motorist safety and convenience. These projects include upgrades to the RFID and toll systems, additional security cameras and speed monitoring systems, as well as routine maintenance activities such as signage replacement, pavement repairs, crack sealing, and guardrail and fence repairs. Additionally, rainwater
collection systems have been installed at the Floridablanca and Dinalupihan rest bays to provide water for public restrooms.
The SCTEX, currently the longest four-lane expressway in the Philippines, spans almost 94 kilometers. It facilitates smoother and faster travel between Subic Bay Freeport in Zambales, Clark Freeport Zone in Pampanga, and Central Techno Park in Tarlac, connecting significant infrastructures like the seaport in Subic and the Diosdado Macapagal International Airport in Clark.
