A measure seeking to reduce tollway fees by as much as 70 percent has been filed by Zambales 1st District Representative and Deputy Speaker Jay Khonghun, in response to the continued rise in fuel prices across the country.
Under the proposed “Tollway Fee Reduction Act,” or House Bill No. 8652, Khonghun is pushing for an immediate 50 percent reduction in toll fees during the first year of implementation, followed by an additional 20 percent cut in the succeeding year.
The proposal covers Class 3 vehicles transporting essential goods and commodities, public utility vehicles (PUVs) serving passengers, and motorists traveling during off-peak hours.
Khonghun said the measure aims to provide both immediate relief and a long-term solution to rising transportation costs, amid surging oil prices linked to ongoing tensions in the Middle East.
The lawmaker noted that the transport sector—including motorists, commuters, and logistics operators—has been among the hardest hit by the spike in fuel prices. He added that higher transportation costs have contributed to rising prices of basic goods, slower economic activity, and adverse effects on public welfare.
“High tollway fees further burden the cost of transporting goods and passengers, which is why certain sectors must be prioritized to ensure they fully benefit from the proposed reduction,” Khonghun said.