New DOTr secretary suspends 'cashless-only' toll collection policy | ABS-CBN
ADVERTISEMENT

Welcome, Kapamilya! We use cookies to improve your browsing experience. Continuing to use this site means you agree to our use of cookies. Tell me more!
New DOTr secretary suspends 'cashless-only' toll collection policy
Published Feb 21, 2025 12:35 PM PHT
|
Updated Feb 21, 2025 04:00 PM PHT

Vehicles pass through the Balintawak tollway along the North Luzon Expressway in Caloocan City on October 22, 2020. Mark Demayo, ABS-CBN News
.jpg)
MANILA (UPDATED) — Newly-appointed Transportation Secretary Vince Dizon has ordered the Toll Regulatory Board (TRB) to suspend a policy requiring cashless collection of toll fees.
MANILA (UPDATED) — Newly-appointed Transportation Secretary Vince Dizon has ordered the Toll Regulatory Board (TRB) to suspend a policy requiring cashless collection of toll fees.
Speaking with reporters at Malacañang, Dizon described the system as "anti-poor" since motorists might not always have the financial capability to top up their RFID accounts in advance.
Speaking with reporters at Malacañang, Dizon described the system as "anti-poor" since motorists might not always have the financial capability to top up their RFID accounts in advance.
“Kayo siguro dito, kaya niyo mag-load sa Easytrip tsaka sa AutoSweep ng P2,000, P3,000, P,5000. Pero paano yung mga kababayan natin na sagad-sagad ang budget? Di ba? hindi sila makaka-load,” he said.
“Kayo siguro dito, kaya niyo mag-load sa Easytrip tsaka sa AutoSweep ng P2,000, P3,000, P,5000. Pero paano yung mga kababayan natin na sagad-sagad ang budget? Di ba? hindi sila makaka-load,” he said.
(Maybe you here can load P2,000 or P3,000 or P5,000 in Easytrip and AutoSweep. But what about Filipinos with tight budgets? They will not be able to do that)
(Maybe you here can load P2,000 or P3,000 or P5,000 in Easytrip and AutoSweep. But what about Filipinos with tight budgets? They will not be able to do that)
ADVERTISEMENT
Unused toll credit is stored in app wallets but Dizon said some motorists might forget to load up ahead of time.
Unused toll credit is stored in app wallets but Dizon said some motorists might forget to load up ahead of time.
"Ibig sabihin, pag-cashless, anong gagawin niya? Kalbaryo na naman 'yun. Pagpapahirap na naman sa tao yun."
"Ibig sabihin, pag-cashless, anong gagawin niya? Kalbaryo na naman 'yun. Pagpapahirap na naman sa tao yun."
(What I mean is, if it's a cashless system, what is a motorist to do? That is an added burden to them)
(What I mean is, if it's a cashless system, what is a motorist to do? That is an added burden to them)
The transportation chief said he also plans to work with toll operators Metro Pacific Tollways Corporation (MPTC) and San Miguel to ensure that the tollways are ready to implement 100% contactless payments, noting technical issues in the past implementation of the full cashless system.
The transportation chief said he also plans to work with toll operators Metro Pacific Tollways Corporation (MPTC) and San Miguel to ensure that the tollways are ready to implement 100% contactless payments, noting technical issues in the past implementation of the full cashless system.
Toll operators had earlier expressed support for the reimplementation of the cashless/contactless toll collection policy, saying this will “encourage the remaining 3% of motorists who still pay in cash to switch to RFID for a faster, more efficient, and seamless toll experience.”
Toll operators had earlier expressed support for the reimplementation of the cashless/contactless toll collection policy, saying this will “encourage the remaining 3% of motorists who still pay in cash to switch to RFID for a faster, more efficient, and seamless toll experience.”
ADVERTISEMENT
The implementation of the policy on cashless transactions was supposed to restart on March 15.
The implementation of the policy on cashless transactions was supposed to restart on March 15.
Motorists without Electronic Toll Collection or Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) stickers installed on their vehicles would have been allowed to enter toll plazas for installation.
Motorists without Electronic Toll Collection or Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) stickers installed on their vehicles would have been allowed to enter toll plazas for installation.
But they would also be issued Temporary Operator’s Permits or Show-Cause Orders for violating the ‘No Valid ETC Device, No Entry’ Policy', the TRB said last week.
But they would also be issued Temporary Operator’s Permits or Show-Cause Orders for violating the ‘No Valid ETC Device, No Entry’ Policy', the TRB said last week.
Toll operators install the propriety stickers and devices and motorists have to top up their virtual wallets to make sure they have enough credit in their accounts to pay for using the expressways.
Toll operators install the propriety stickers and devices and motorists have to top up their virtual wallets to make sure they have enough credit in their accounts to pay for using the expressways.
The policy was suspended last September due to technical issues and to give the public time to get used to contactless payments.
The policy was suspended last September due to technical issues and to give the public time to get used to contactless payments.
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT