Sen. Grace Poe called on the Department of Transportation (DOTr) Thursday to hold off the full implementation of the cashless payments on toll roads amid the heavy traffic caused by its new policy.
"We are asking the DOTr to suspend the full implementation of the 100 percent cashless transaction it compelled toll operators. The system isn’t completely ready," Poe said.
She said she filed a resolution asking the DOTr to revisit the order and suspend its full implementation. The resolution is now being circulated among senators for their signatures, she said.
The chairperson of the Senate Public Services Committee said her panel is set to conduct an inquiry on the problems arising from the DOTr's requirement for toll operators to implement cashless collections starting this month thru the Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) technology.
She said the committee will summon DOTr Secretary Arthur Tugade to respond to the "lamentable experience of motorists from its ill-studied order."
"Kasi sa DOTr ‘yan... Bakit hahayaan na magbakbakan ang operator at local government at magdusa ang taumbayan (Because it's under the DOTr. Why would it allow operators and local government to fight and our people to suffer)," Poe said.
"Ang reklamo pa ng mga tao, ‘yong mga makina mismo hindi gumagana kaya nakababad ang mga kotse, nasisira, hindi nababasa ‘yong mga sticker (People have complained that the equipment itself was defective, that vehicles have to stay longer, the RFID stickers cannot be read)," she added.
The income of PUV operators and drivers has been affected since they had to fall in line for RFID stickers, she said.
Senators earlier lamented about the problems regarding the implementation of cashless payment system on toll roads. Sen. Sherwin Gatchalian also called for a review of the Toll Regulatory Board's functions for its supposed inaction on the RFID mess.
Last Monday, the government of Valenzuela City suspended the business permit of the North Luzon Expressway (NLEX) Corp. for the traffic gridlock caused by issues in its RFID system.
Poe said they will also inquire about the P500-minimum load requirement for the RFID.
"That minimum load is a big amount for some, especially if the toll they need to pay is just less than P100. That minimum load is even higher than the minimum wage,” she said.
"All these chaos could have been avoided had the DOTr consulted with its shareholders and listened to their concerns," Poe said.
The DOTr in August issued Department Order No. 2020-012, which required cashless payments on expressways to lessen human contact and prevent COVID-19 transmission. The implementation in November was moved to Dec. 1, to further allow motorists and toll operators to install RFID stickers on vehicles.
Despite the implementation, authorities clarified that the installation will still continue. Those who will insist to traverse RFID lanes without the sticker after Jan. 11 will be apprehended.