{
  "version": "2026-09-09-monthly-explainer",
  "effective_date": "2026-07-01",
  "scope": "Four named SLEX and STAR segments in the July 2026 announcement; Class 1 only. Not an exhaustive Philippine toll comparison.",
  "evidence_status": "verified",
  "verified_on": "2026-09-08",
  "source_note": "Directly inspected TRB's January 2026 notices and matrices effective 1 July 2026 in the browser on 8 September 2026. January fares are official baseline inputs; increases are July minus January. This verifies the dated tariffs, not actual household bills or estimated calculator distances.",
  "sources": [
    "https://trb.gov.ph/index.php/47-press-release/89-new-toll-rates-at-slex-on-01-january-2026",
    "https://trb.gov.ph/index.php/toll-rates/slex-toll-rate",
    "https://trb.gov.ph/index.php/47-press-release/90-toll-rates-at-star-tollway-to-be-adjusted-on-01-january-2026",
    "https://trb.gov.ph/index.php/toll-rates/star-tollway-toll-rate"
  ],
  "source_labels": ["TRB — SLEX January 2026 notice", "TRB — SLEX matrix effective 1 July 2026", "TRB — STAR January 2026 notice", "TRB — STAR matrix effective 1 July 2026"],
  "assumptions": {
    "monthly_driving_days": 20,
    "monthly_frequency_examples": [10, 20, 26],
    "annual_example_note": "240 round trips is optional annual arithmetic, not observed behaviour or an actual calendar-2026 bill.",
    "round_trips": 240,
    "charged_passages_per_round_trip": 2,
    "same_tariff_each_direction": true,
    "excludes": "Fuel, distance, parking, other road sections, discounts, rebates, temporary waivers and replacement travel. Fixed-rate comparison, not an observed calendar-2026 bill or current journey quotation."
  },
  "rows": [
    {"id":"alabang-calamba","road":"SLEX","segment":"Alabang–Calamba","january_fare":126,"announced_fare":137,"announced_increase":11},
    {"id":"calamba-sto-tomas","road":"SLEX","segment":"Calamba–Sto. Tomas","january_fare":34,"announced_fare":37,"announced_increase":3},
    {"id":"sto-tomas-lipa","road":"STAR","segment":"Sto. Tomas–Lipa","january_fare":60,"announced_fare":64,"announced_increase":4},
    {"id":"lipa-batangas","road":"STAR","segment":"Lipa–Batangas City","january_fare":53,"announced_fare":57,"announced_increase":4}
  ]
}