Quezon City — Zambales 1st District Representative and Deputy Speaker Jay Khonghun has filed a measure seeking to reduce tollway fees by as much as 70 percent, in response to the continued rise in fuel prices nationwide.
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 reduction in the succeeding year.
The proposed measure will cover Class 3 vehicles transporting essential goods and commodities, Public Utility Vehicles (PUVs) serving passengers, and vehicles traveling during off-peak hours.
According to Khonghun, the bill aims to provide both immediate relief and a long-term solution to rising transportation costs, which have been exacerbated by surging oil and fuel prices linked to ongoing tensions in the Middle East.
“The transport sector—including motorists, commuters, and logistics operators—has been among the hardest hit,” Khonghun said.
He added that rising transportation costs have contributed to increasing prices of basic goods, slower economic activity, and negative impacts on public welfare.
“Ang mataas na singil sa tollway ay lalo pang nagpapabigat sa gastusin sa pagbiyahe ng mga produkto at pasahero, kung kaya’t dapat bigyan ng prayoridad ang ilang sektor upang lubos na maramdaman ang benepisyo ng pagbawas sa toll fee,” Khonghun emphasized.
The proposed measure is part of broader efforts to cushion the effects of inflation and ensure that essential goods remain accessible and affordable to the public.