MANILA, Philippines — Motorists using the Subic-Clark-Tarlac Expressway (SCTEX) will pay higher toll fees starting Friday.

NLEX Corp., a unit of Metro Pacific Tollways Corp., in a statement yesterday said the Toll Regulatory Board has given the green light for the new toll rate adjustments for the SCTEX that authorizes the collection of an additional P0.51 per kilometer.

The new toll increase, a petition for which was filed by the Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA) in 2011, will be collected starting at 12:01 a.m. on June 14.

Under the approved adjustments, motorists with Class 1 vehicles (passenger cars) traveling from Mabalacat (Mabiga Interchange) to Tarlac will pay an additional P20 under the new toll fee matrix.

Motorists with Class 2 vehicles (buses and small commercial trucks) using the same corridor will pay an additional P40 and Class 3 vehicles (large trucks/trailers) will pay an additional P60.

Meanwhile, motorists traveling between Mabalacat and Tipo in Subic will be charged an additional P32, P66 and P98 for Class 1, 2, and 3 vehicles, respectively.

SCTEX toll rates have so far remained at 2011 levels, but infrastructure improvements along the 94-kilometer tollway have continued, according to NLEX.

Since the NLEX-SCTEX integration in 2016, the NLEX has been modernizing and bringing world-class features of the company to SCTEX such as smooth pavements, electronic toll collection and up-to-date traffic systems, including a brand of service that has friendly and courteous toll tellers and patrol crews.

The entire stretch of the SCTEX between Tarlac and Tipo underwent a massive asphalt pavement upgrade in 2017.

On the other hand, the Tipo Toll Plaza and the new Mabiga Interchange were boosted with additional toll lanes.

To improve 24/7 traffic monitoring and provision of roadside services, a modern traffic control room, with CCTV cameras and radio communications, was built in Mabalacat.

LED highway lights, emergency call boxes, crash cushions and reflective delineator plates were also installed in key areas of the expressway to enhance motorists’ safety.

NLEX last week said it is investing over P150 million for the repair of bridges and pavement in select SCTEX areas to further enhance motorists’ safety and convenience. – With Ding Cervantes