📷 Former Bayan Muna Rep. Ferdinand Gaite
Former Bayan Muna congressman Ferdinand Gaite strongly condemned the North Luzon Expressway (NLEX) toll fee hike implemented on March 2, calling it an anti-people measure that will further burden ordinary Filipinos already struggling with high inflation.
“This toll hike is blatantly inflationary and will inevitably lead to higher prices of basic goods and services. The substantial increases, especially for trucks and delivery vehicles, will definitely be passed on to consumers who are already struggling to make ends meet,” Gaite said.
The lawmaker pointed out the stark contrast in how the government treats workers’ demands versus corporate interests.
“Kapag manggagawa ang humihingi ng signipikanteng dagdag sahod tulad ng P750 wage hike o maski ang ipinasa na sa Kongreso na P200 wage increase ay ang daming dahilan para pigilan ng Marcos admin. Pero kapag malaking kapitalista ang humirit ng dagdag singil, malamang sa hindi ay ibibigay nila,” Gaite emphasized.
[When workers ask for significant wage increases like the P750 wage hike or even the P200 wage increase already passed in Congress, the Marcos administration has many reasons to block it. But when big capitalists demand fee increases, they almost certainly grant them.]
Gaite also highlighted the substantial toll increases for commercial vehicles.
“The additional P142 for buses and small trucks and P171 for large trucks for end-to-end travel will significantly impact the cost of transporting goods and people. Basic commodities from Central and Northern Luzon will become more expensive in Metro Manila, while products from Manila will cost more in the provinces,” Gaite explained.
“Hindi lang ito usapin ng convenience para sa mga may-ari ng private vehicles. Ito ay direktang dagok sa kabuhayan ng ordinaryong mamamayan na siyang magdurusa sa pagtaas ng presyo ng bilihin,” he added.
[This is not just about convenience for private vehicle owners. This is a direct blow to the livelihood of ordinary citizens who will suffer from rising prices of goods.]
The lawmakers noted that the current increase represents only the first tranche (50%) of approved toll rate adjustments, with a second tranche expected in 2026.
“This is just the beginning of a series of increases that will further burden our people. The Marcos administration should immediately suspend this anti-people toll hike and prioritize the welfare of ordinary Filipinos over corporate profits,” Gaite concluded. #
