The new operator of the South Luzon Expressway (SLEx) said Wednesday that no toll fee increase would be implemented yet on the tollway even if it takes over its operation and maintenance in the coming days.

Isaac David, President of the South Luzon Tollway Corp. (SLTC) said “no toll fee increase will be imposed and the income from the toll collection will be remitted to government through the Toll Regulatory Board (TRB).”

Alma Tuazon, SLTC spokesperson, said the fare adjustment which would be approved first by the TRB, would be implemented when the SLTC takes over the revenue operation of the tollway next year when the rehabilitation of SLEx has been completed.

In lieu of the Philippine National Construction Corp. (PNCC), David said SLTC also agreed to undertake the retrenchment compensation of eligible PNCC employees according to the labor code and other existing laws of the Philippines.

“The allocation for employee compensation has already been deposited and ready to be turned over to the PNCC management upon finalization of an indemnity agreement,” David said stressing that P110 million has been set aside for the benefits of PNCC workers.

Some 1,000 PNCC workers will be reportedly laid off once SLTC’s operation and management arm, Manila Toll Expressway System Inc. (MATES) takes over SLEx.

David even vowed that 1,500 workers would be recruited by MATES to work for the private firm including former PNCC workers.

MATES was supposed to takeover the operation and maintenance of SLEx last December 14 but PNCC was able to secure a three-day temporary restraining order issued by a Pasig court.

SLTC said the “turnover of the SLEx operation to MATES was supposed to have happened upon expiration of the PNCC franchise in April 2007, but PNCC requested to remain as operator while they applied for franchise renewal.

“MATES had deferred to the request on condition that it will takeover upon substantial completion of the project. SLEX concessionaire SLTC has exceeded 95 percent completion of the project and needs to have full control of the toll plaza areas to construct and install the new toll collection system,” SLTC said in a statement.