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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider Palace supports TRB measures to ease traffic, motorists' woes due to enforcement of cashless transactions in tollways

Palace supports TRB measures to ease traffic, motorists' woes due to enforcement of cashless transactions in tollways

Published Dec 10, 2020 02:43 pm

Malacañang said it will fully adopt the recommendations made by the Toll Regulatory Board (TRB) to address the heavy traffic caused by the cashless transactions in tollways.

Presidential spokesman Harry Roque made the statement after Valenzuela City suspended the business permit of NLEX Corporation due to the horrendous traffic brought about by the toll operator's shift to a cashless system.

Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque (RESIDENTIAL PHOTO / MANILA BULLETIN FILE PHOTO)

In his Thursday presser, Roque said that the Palace agrees and will adopt the recommendations of the TRB.

"We adopt, of course, the recommendation of the TRB, in toto," he said.

In its statement, the TRB said it has ordered toll operators to "aggressively pursue" and consistently implement the following measures previously instructed to them:

1.    Immediate replacement of worn-out/defective sensors (readers), related RFID equipment, and RFID tags.

2.    Relocation, reposition of RFID installation, and reloading lanes that hamper traffic flow

3.    Maintenance, improvement, upgrading of systems software

4.    Enhancement of traffic management

5.    Improvement of customer service assistance, among others.

While acknowledging the need to immediately resolve the problem, Roque said the Palace understands Valenzuela City Mayor Rex Gatchalian's decision to suspend NLEX Corporation's business permit in the city.

"Hindi naman po natin pwede ipagkait sa mga lokal na pamahalaan ang kanilang hurisdiksyon na mag-issue ng business permit dahil 'yan po ay nasa (We cannot deprive the local government units of their authority to issue business permits because that is stated under the) Local Government Code," he said. 

"Kasama po sa konsepto ng local autonomy na kabahagi rin po ng ating Saligang Batas (It's also part of the concept of local autonomy that is also part of our Constitution)," he added.

However, the Palace official said there needs to be a balance because investors may be discouraged from making investments in communities.

"Kinakailangan din lang isipan na babalansehin natin ito dahil ang mga proyekto kagaya ng expressways na dinivelop ng mga pribadong sektor (We need to find balance because these projects like expressways are developed by the private sector)," Roque said.

"Baka mamaya ma-turn off ang future investors kung palaging mangyayari ito (Future investors might get turned-off if this always happens)," he added.

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