Labor group Defend Job Philippines denounced San Miguel Corp. (SMC) Tollways’ policy of requiring that a request for toll exemption be sent first to SMC Tollways president Manuel Bonoan, saying it was an unnecessary and time-consuming task especially amid the urgency of the situation in areas near Taal Volcano. ADVERTISEMENT“They might say it’s just a letter, but it could deter simple efforts, especially those not coming from big companies,” Defend Job spokesperson Christian Lloyd Magsoy told the Inquirer. Their caravan of 40 vehicles full of relief goods, however, was asked to pay toll, Magsoy said. Inspections, not letters“We suggest that the SLEx administration craft procedures or mechanisms to check whether vehicles are indeed carrying relief goods, like a quick inspection at the toll gate,” Magsoy said. The toll-free travel will be in effect indefinitely while relief operations for eruption victims are ongoing, SMC Tollways said.

Source: Philippine Daily Inquirer January 19, 2020 20:03 UTC