Lawmakers denounced Sunday the 270 percent toll increase at the South Luzon Expressway (SLEX) which will be implemented by the end of the month, saying it is unjustifiably anti-poor.

Reps. Teddy Casiño (Party-list, Bayan Muna) and incoming Rep.Winston Castelo (2nd District, Quezon City) made the move as they described the toll hike as a form of “highway robbery.”

“Any toll hike approved by the Toll Regulatory Board (TRB) is unconscionable as it will eventually jack up bus fares, prices of agricultural produce and some basic goods from the provinces that are transported through SLEX,” Casiño said.

Castelo said the impending toll increase to be implemented by the South Luzon Tollway Corporation (SLTC) is unjustified and it seems “they want to recover their expenses in a year’s time.”

“I am against it, I will file a resolution expressing the collective sentiment of lawmakers opposed in its implementation as it will be burdensome to our people,” Castelo said.

But Malacañang is amenable to the deferment of the planned toll fee increase at the South Luzon Expressway (SLEX) following mounting complaints raised by affected sectors.

Deputy Presidential Spokesman Gary Olivar suggested that it would be prudent to delay the SLEX toll increase until the next administration scrutinizes the deal involving the toll operator.

“I don’t think there is a rush in the planned toll fee increase. I would not be surprised, it would be better if they postpone it in the next administration. They should study if this is included in the contract.

This is a major consideration they should consider,” he said over government radio.

President-elect Aquino can call for a review or even stop the implementation of the 250 percent toll hike once he assumes the presidency on June 30, the Toll Regulatory Board (TRB) said Sunday.

“TRB will respect and comply with the instructions issued by President Aquino,” TRB spokesman Julius Corpuz said.

The SLEX has an estimated minimum passage of 200,000 motorists daily. The increase will jack up the daily revenue collected from P8.68 million to an astounding P22.26 million, Casiño said.

Casiño urged the TRB and its mother agency, the Department of Transportation and ommunication (DoTC), to junk the toll hike approval. “As a regulatory agency, the TRB should provide service and protect the expressway users. The investor has already been guaranteed a good return of investment with the old rates at the least burden to the public. That should be enough,” he said.