DA seeks wider tollway support for agricultural truck rebates

The Department of Agriculture (DA) is seeking to expand a toll rebate program for agricultural trucks to more tollway operators, aiming to ease transport expenses as rising fuel costs pressure the farm sector and food distribution.

Agriculture Undersecretary Arrey Perez said the agency is awaiting confirmation from San Miguel Corp. and other tollway operators, including those linked to the Villar group, on their participation. Metro Pacific Tollways Corp. (MPTC) has reinstated rebates across its network.

Registry of eligible agricultural truckers being updated

The DA is also updating its registry of eligible agricultural truckers and delivery vehicles to ensure that only qualified beneficiaries receive the rebates. Once the list is verified, it will be submitted to the Toll Regulatory Board (TRB).

In a 9 October letter to the TRB, MPTC subsidiaries NLEX Corp., Cavitex Infrastructure Corp. and MPCALA Holdings Inc. confirmed that the rebate program had resumed effective 1 October.

The program will run until 30 November 2026, with qualified rebates being credited to subscribers’ radio frequency identification (RFID) accounts as of 8 October.

Under the arrangement, eligible vehicles pay the regular toll first before receiving credits equivalent to an estimated 7 percent to 8 percent rebate. Published rates show substantial reductions for qualified trips, including the Tipo-Balintawak and Tarlac-Balintawak routes.

The program could help lower transport expenses for agricultural commodities, potentially easing distribution costs. Its impact, however, will depend on the participation of more tollway operators, accurate beneficiary records and timely rebate credits.

MPTC has said its participation recognizes the government’s efforts to mitigate the fuel crisis, while raising concerns about the financial effects of toll discounts and exemptions on revenues, operations and investment obligations under its concession agreements.