Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, July 10) — Expressway operator Metro Pacific Tollways Corp. (MPTC) said its network has yet to suffer from increasing fuel prices, with its first-half traffic volume surpassing its pre-pandemic level.
After experiencing lockdowns, Filipinos may not be over yet with their revenge travel despite hefty upward adjustments in petroleum products, according to MPTC chief finance officer Christopher Lizo.
“At least for the month of June, we haven’t felt the impact of the fuel price increase,” he said.
For the first nine months, MPTC recorded a 5-6% jump in its traffic volumes compared to 2019 levels, he added.
According to MPTC website, the daily average traffic volume stands at 700,000 during the pandemic and “close to a million” each day pre-pandemic.
The group operates the North Luzon Expressway, the Subic–Clark–Tarlac Expressway, the Manila–Cavite Expressway, the Cavite–Laguna Expressway, and the Cebu–Cordova Link Expressway.
Lizo said while there was a “slowdown” in traffic for the first five days of July, it was “too early to say” that the rising fuel prices have already affected traffic.
“I think the expectation is that it will impact traffic. We are just hoping that the impact is temporary,” he added.
Lizo is also optimistic the group could sustain the momentum for the rest of the year.
“Despite the fuel price increase, I think people are just happy that they can go out. Local tourism is very strong because not all people can afford to go out of the country,” he said.
