Tolling

We have seen how much the private sector can contribute to help the country modernize its infrastructure. We enjoy world class tollways, a much improved water distribution system and, yes, one of the world’s largest airports rising on the basis on an unsolicited proposal.

Today there is much talk about expanding public-private partnerships to enhance capitalization of our infra needs. For that to happen, however, government must cease being a risk factor for investments.

The most vivid illustration of government making itself a risk actor to investments is the case of tollways. All the contracts for the private sector to invest in tollways contain provisions for escalating toll charges to cover rising costs. More often, however, the escalation of toll charges is delayed – not by weeks but by years. That imposes added financing costs for the investors.

Very often, those with the power to delay obligatory toll increases make a populist show of ordering them delayed. In many cases, the protest industry of the political Left seizes every toll escalation as an opportunity for rabble-rousing to build public support for themselves. What is often ignored is that delays in the contractual obligation to adjust rates result in delayed improvements and poorer services.

The latest toll adjustments for NLEX gives us reason to be hopeful our public is maturing. The toll adjustments were delayed for years, notwithstanding the schedules provided for in the contracts. When the adjustments were finally allowed, the public generally accepted the necessity for doing so – especially as the rates were supposed to have been adjusted in 2012, 2014, 2018 and 2020.

A few politicians, acting on reflex, objected to the rate adjustments even if toll rates have actually become cheaper if computed against inflation. They quickly realized they had no public support and abandoned their protestations. Most motorists, enjoying savings in time and fuel using the facilities, understood the toll adjustments went through the proper procedures prescribed by the Toll Regulatory Board (TRB).

Only one group, the Alliance of Concerned Truck Owners and Organizations (ACTOO), persisted in objecting to the toll adjustment. This is the same agitprop group that objected to the implementation of a new container registry and monitoring system by the Philippine Ports Authority that would speed up the movement of cargo throughout the archipelago.

It turns out that prior to the adjustment, dialogues among all stakeholders were dutifully held. ACTOO claims they were neither informed nor consulted about the toll increase. It turns out from the records, this group was given a whole month by the TRB to file a position paper opposing the adjustment. The group was too lazy to do that.

Without a constituency, their objections could not stand. Not even a play for a toll discount exclusively for their group could be sustained.

Inclusive

The Supreme Court has ruled with finality in the decades-long land dispute between the cities of Taguig and Makati. As a consequence of this ruling, about 10 villages encompassed by Fort Bonifacio and that were formerly with Makati will now be part of Taguig.

In this light, the city government of Taguig has reached out to the affected communities to assure them inclusion in the enviable social programs of their new city. This includes the generous scholarship program funded by the administration of Mayor Lani Cayetano.

Since its initiation, the program supported 83,000 scholars. Of this number, over 20,000 have graduated. At least 3,230 of the graduates have become licensed professionals: 50 lawyers, 29 doctors, 34 architects, 188 engineers, 229 accountants, 320 nurses, 722 teachers and many others in various fields.

Taguig benefitted immeasurably from these graduates. As productive members of the community, they have collectively contributed multiplier benefits to the city. They have added to the city’s rising prosperity.

Taguig’s scholarship program does not pressure its beneficiaries to be at the top of their respective classes. It is enough that they acquire an education and eventually practice a profession. The scholars are given enough latitude to enjoy their educational journey and shape their own lives.

Because of its investment in education, Taguig has lower incidence of juvenile delinquency. Its citizens are more confident and more hopeful about the future. The city nurtures its own competitiveness.

Those from the villages transferred to Taguig’s jurisdiction will immediately qualify for the scholarship program. The city government assures them there will be no discrimination. They are welcomed as citizens of Taguig, with all the benefits this translates to.

Over the last few years, Taguig aspired to increase the social benefits enjoyed by its citizens. Those in the transferred villages should not lose any of the benefits they enjoyed when they were citizens of Makati.

Taguig has evolved into one of the most caring local governments in the National Capital Region. Improvements in the city’s revenues due to the impressive development of the Bonifacio Global City should translate into improved social services for its citizens.

The development of Global City is, in part, due to the far-sighted policies of the city government of Taguig. The city lured investors to locate in the new business district by offering lower tax rates. This led to the dizzying rise of businesses relocating to the Global City.

The transfer of the villages from Makati to Taguig’s jurisdiction should not diminish the quality of care they enjoyed under the previous dispensation. If at all, it should lead to a better quality of life.

The experience of Taguig must be a textbook case for exemplary local governance.