Regulator lifts toll collection freeze for final segment of C5-Cavitex link
THE Toll Regulatory Board (TRB) said it lifted the temporary postponement of toll collection for Segment 3B of the Manila-Cavite Toll Expressway (Cavitex) C5 Link, allowing the operator to implement the adjusted toll matrix.
In an advisory, the regulator said the updated toll rate matrix for the Cavitex C5 Link Expressway, which also covers Segment 3B, will be in force on May 9.
The TRB deferred the collection of tolls at Segment 3B, which were originally scheduled to take effect on May 5.
The project is a joint venture of Metro Pacific Tollways Corp. (MPTC) subsidiary Cavitex Infrastructure Corp. and the Philippine Reclamation Authority (PRA). It is operated by PRA wholly owned subsidiary PEA Tollway Corp. (PEATC).
The PRA has said the toll collection deferment was due to the ongoing fuel crisis, adding that the timing of the TRB’s notice to start collection will hinge on the project committee’s deliberations.
According to the toll operating agreement, PEATC is responsible for inspecting the entire length of the toll road following the issuance of the certificate of substantial completion, and to address complaints from motorists once the operators start to collect tolls.
According to the TRB, it authorized tolls of P59 for Class 1, P117 for Class 2, and P176 for Class 3 vehicles traveling between Dr. A. Santos Avenue (Sucat Road) in Parañaque City and Taguig City starting on Tuesday.
Motorists traveling between Taguig and Roxas Boulevard or Zapote will pay P97 for Class 1, P194 for Class 2, and P291 for Class 3 vehicles.
Segment 3B is the final segment of the two-kilometer segment of the 7.7-kilometer Cavitex-C5 link expressway.
Earlier phases of the project were Segment 3A-1 (C5 Flyover to Merville), Segment 3A-2, and Segment 2 (Sucat Interchange to R-1 Expressway), which were completed between 2019 and 2024.
The toll road is expected to cut travel time between Parañaque City and Taguig City to about 15 minutes from as long as 90 minutes previously.
Since opening on March 30, the segment has been toll-free, serving about 9,000 motorists daily, the TRB said. — Ashley Erika O. Jose
