DA trucks get toll rebates starting June 1

Starting June 1, 2024, accredited Department of Agriculture trucks carrying agricultural goods will be exempt from toll increases and receive rebates to help curb rising food prices, the Toll Regulatory Board (TRB) announced.

The program covers up to 300 trucks daily that use expressways north and south of Metro Manila, including North Luzon Expressway (NLEX), South Luzon Expressway (SLEX), Muntinlupa-Cavite Expressway (MCX), Subic-Clark Expressway (SCTEX), and Manila-Cavite Toll Expressway (CAVITEX).

Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. thanked President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. and the Department of Transportation for their decision to provide toll rebates for truckers, noting that this move should help reduce price pressures on food products and ease the burden on consumers.

The rebate is equivalent to recent toll increases, with amounts ranging from P2 to P30 for San Miguel Corp.-operated tollways and P16 to P156 for Metro Pacific Tollways Corp. (MPTC)-operated tollways.

To qualify, trucks must be DA-accredited and have a valid Autosweep or Easytrip RFID account; enrollment is available at specific customer service centers across the region.

Toll operators will conduct spot checks to ensure compliance; those found transporting unaccredited goods may lose eligibility for the program.