00:00How ironic to call it a freeway when one has to pay for each time it is used.
00:05And today, the Enlex Freeway's toll fees go up by a minimum of 6 pesos and then 26 centavos for every kilometer incurred.
00:13Our Denise Osorio sampled a few motorists who drive through and across the Enlex and their sentiments on the latest toll fee surge.
00:21The North Luzon Expressway, or Enlex, is one of the country's main transport corridors used daily by thousands of motorists traveling to work,
00:32returning to their home provinces, or transporting goods from northern Luzon to Metro Manila.
00:38Beginning today, the toll increase on the Enlex kicks in.
00:41Class 1 vehicles will pay an additional 6 pesos with 26 centavos more charged per kilometer.
00:47This means a trip from the Balintawak exit to Mabalakat, Pampanga, will cost motorists an extra 24 pesos.
00:55For Class 2 vehicles, the base increase is 12 pesos, while Class 3 vehicles will see an increase of 16 pesos.
01:03According to Enlex Toll Waste Management, this adjustment is the second and final phase of a periodic toll increase originally scheduled for 2023.
01:12Its implementation was deferred and divided into two stages to mitigate the impact on motorists.
01:18However, regular toll adjustments are necessary to ensure the safe, efficient, and reliable management of the expressway,
01:25and to support the long-term sustainability of privately funded infrastructure.
01:30The Enlex Management has also confirmed its toll rebate scheme is still on for vehicles carrying agricultural produce,
01:37accredited by the Department of Agriculture, to help contain food prices, and ease inflationary pressure.
01:44Despite the higher charges, many motorists say they will continue using Enlex, citing faster and more predictable travel times.
01:52Kiko Salazar and JB Hernandez are both Enlex users who feel the need to tighten their belts from today on.
01:58Kasi mostly, ang gulay natin galing north, madalas, so malamang expect natin tataas ang domino effect na.
02:08Medyo masakit din sa bulsa, syempre, dagdag 6 pesos, imbis na kinikita namin, di, mababawasan pa.
02:15Meanwhile, Regilio Espiritu, who lives in Bulacan, spends nearly 24,000 pesos a month on just Toffee charges.
02:23But he says the increase is acceptable if it results in better service.
02:27Masaya in a sense na kung maibabalik sana yung 6 pesos sa mga motorista.
02:34Kahit 10, basta maibalik yung servisyo.
02:37So in short, wala akong problema dun sa pagtaas na 6 na piso kung talagang makatwiran to.
02:42Pero yung servisyo ang sinabi namin, yung kalsada na may lubak, yung expansion, buksan, yung zipper lane, agahan din yung pagbubukas.
02:51Huwag na hintayin tumawag pa kami sa hotline.
02:53Despite the concerns, motorists say they will continue using the expressway.
02:57Dadaan pa rin ako sa NLEX.
02:59Ang hirap sa mga service roads natin, makikisiksik tayo. Ang hirap din.
03:04Ang sinasabi lang namin, proactive dapat sila.
03:07Talagang by God's grace, sa biyaya ng Panginoon, magsusumikap pa rin ang Pinoy para yung 6 pesos na naidagdag ay kitain pa rin.
03:16Between 2022 and 2025, NLEX completed major projects including the Candaba 3rd Viaduct, SFEX capacity expansion, road raising works in San Simon, and upgrades to lighting, bridges, overpasses, and toll plaza systems.
03:32Work is also underway on the first 2-kilometer section of the NLEX C5 North Link, which is expected to ease congestion along Mindanao Avenue.
03:41Denise Osorio for the National Television Network for a new and better Philippines.
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