The Department of Agriculture (DA) is calling on more tollway operators to join its agricultural transport rebate program, building on the early participation of Metro Pacific Tollways Corp. (MPTC) as the government moves to cushion farmers and consumers from rising fuel costs and help stabilize food prices.
In a statement Thursday, Agriculture Undersecretary Arrey Perez confirmed that MPTC has officially reinstated the toll rebate across its networks—including NLEX Corp., Cavitex Infrastructure Corp., and MPCALA Holdings Inc.—effective October 1, 2026, following a formal letter submitted to the Toll Regulatory Board (TRB) on October 9. Running through November 30 this year, the program offers eligible trucks carrying DA-accredited agricultural products an estimated 7 to 8 percent rebate, credited to their RFID accounts after toll transactions rather than applied as an upfront discount.
The savings are substantial. For the Tipo–Balintawak route, Class 1 vehicles now pay P61 against the regular P772; Class 2 pay P134 from P1,745; and Class 3 pay P184 compared with P2,315. On the Tarlac–Balintawak corridor, rates drop to P43, P99, and P131 for the three vehicle classes, from standard fees of P585, P1,348, and P1,754 respectively. The DA says these reductions lower transport costs for haulers and ease distribution expenses, which can translate to more stable food prices for the public.
Perez noted the DA is now awaiting confirmation from San Miguel Corp., the Villar group, and other toll operators to broaden the program’s reach. The agency is also updating and cleaning its registry of eligible agricultural vehicles to ensure only qualified carriers receive benefits, with the final roster to be shared with the TRB.
MPTC acknowledged the financial impact of the discounts on its revenues, operations, and concession obligations, but said its participation reflects support for the government’s efforts to mitigate the effects of high fuel costs, while reserving its contractual rights. The DA first proposed toll relief for agricultural trucks in September, working through the Department of Transportation and the TRB. Officials emphasized that the program’s full benefit depends on broad operator participation, accurate registration, and timely crediting of rebates to qualified accounts.
