NLEX toll hike strains consumers, suppliers as vegetable prices climb

Consumers and vegetable suppliers in Metro Manila face a heavy burden due to the NLEX toll hike as prices are affected.

In Nico Waje’s Monday report on “Saksi,” vegetable supplier Jonjon Clores said vegetable prices from La Trinidad Market in Benguet increased from P50-P52 to P65-P70 per kilo.

As a result, potatoes are more expensive from P65 per kilo the cost has risen to P73 per kilo in markets like the Balintawak Market, where most vendors source their goods.

With the NLEX toll hike, Clores will have to sell his vegetables at a higher price.

Motorists with Class 2 vehicles, such as Clores’ six-wheeled truck, will now have to pay P142 for end-to-end trips in NLEX.

“Siyempre po nadagdagan po ang expenses namin, natural pong ipapatong namin yun sa gulay. Kasi po kung dati po halimbawa po ang toll fee namin ay P780 tapos ginawa nilang kulang P1,000 na siyempre po nakakailang balik po kami. Back and forth po dadaan kami sa kanila. Natural po na yung expenses e idadagdag namin sa presyo,” Clores said.

(Since we have additional expenses, we will also increase vegetable prices since we have to use NLEX back and forth.)

He added that they travel to and from Manila to Benguet and vice versa five times to drop off and sell vegetables.

Vegetable prices increased two to three times in Balintawak Market, so consumers are also affected.

From P1,200 per bundle, potatoes are sold for P1,300 per bundle on Monday, which the vendors will sell for P90 to P100 per kilo.

Meanwhile, tomatoes are being sold for P40 as vendors got it from suppliers at P25 kilos, which is P10 more than its price yesterday.

Clores said toll fees should only have a minimal increase so as not to affect vegetable prices.

According to the Toll Regulatory Board (TRB), groups of truck drivers and other motorists can file a petition relating to the toll hike.

“Alam naman po nila na may procedure tayo sa mga ganyang pagkakataon. Puwede po silang maghain ng petition for review sa Toll Regulatory Board in accordance with the established procedure,” TRB spokesperson Julius Corpuz said.

(They know the procedure for cases like this. They can file a petition for review before the TRB in accordance with the established procedure.)

The TRB can conduct a public hearing should anyone file a petition on the toll hike. — Mariel Celine Serquiña/BAP, GMA Integrated News