Spare agri deliveries from toll hike – Kiko Pangilinan

Former Senator Francis “Kiko” Pangilinan  (INQUIRER FILES)

MANILA, Philippines — Former senator Francis “Kiko” Pangilinan on Saturday proposed the exemption from expressway toll increases of  vehicles delivering agricultural products. 

Pangilinan made the appeal in an interview on the sidelines of his house-to-house sortie in Mandaluyong City on Saturday, March 1, with Sen. Risa Hontiveros, former senator Paolo Benigno “Bam” Aquino and human rights lawyer Chel Diokno.

“Kung maaaring magkaroon ng moratorium for the time being, kahit na doon sa ating mga logistics na nagdadala ng gulay, karneng baboy, bigas, prutas sa Maynila,” Pangilinan said when asked toll hikes.

(If it’s possible, let there be a moratorium for the time being for those logistics that bring vegetables, pork, rice, fruits to Manila.)

“Baka pupwede ang apela natin sa mga toll operator ay huwag munang patawan ng increase kung ito ay tungkol sa food security,” Pangilinan stressed.

(Our appeal to our tollway operators is to halt imposing the increase if it’s related to food security.)

The appeal came after the Toll Regulatory Board (TRB) announced a toll fee increase on the Northern Luzon Expressway (NLEX) starting Sunday, March 2.

“Huwag na munang patawan ng dagdag na toll para hindi na dagdag na cost of production at logistics at matataas pa pati ang presyo ng pagkain,” Pangilinan said.

(Don’t impose a toll increase so that it wouldn’t add to the cost of production and logistics; and cause a further increase to the price of food.)

 Pangilinan is eyeing to make a Senate comeback in the 2025 midterm polls, anchoring his campaign on food security.