Motorists have their RFID installed at the Balintawak Toll Plaza Customer Service Center parking area in this photo taken on August 27, as the DOTr mandates vehicles plying the expressway to install RFID to promote contactless payment and reduce the risk of exposure to the coronavirus. INQUIRER file photo / GRIG C. MONTEGRANDE
MANILA, Philippines — Motorists whose vehicles do not have radio frequency identification (RFID) stickers will not be apprehended until January 11 of next year, the Department of Transportation (DOTr) said Monday.
According to DOTr, the December 1 deadline is for the implementation of cashless transactions of toll operators.
“Wala pong mangyayaring hulihan mula December 1 hanggang January 11, 2021, para sa mga sasakyang walang RFID,” the DOTr said in a statement.
(There will be no apprehension that will happen from December 1 until January 11, 2021 for vehicles without RFID stickers.)
It said the installation of RFID stickers would continue even until December ends, especially for first-time toll users and new vehicles.
Starting December 1 until January 11, 2020, the installation of RFID will be 24/7 in all toll lanes and booths near toll gates, according to the department.
“Matapos ang January 11, hindi na lahat ng lanes sa toll gate ay iko-convert bilang stickering lane. Magtatalaga na lamang ng isa o dalawang stickering lane, o kaya naman isang installation tent bago pumasok sa toll gate kung saan maaaring kabitan ng RFID ang mga sasakyan,” it added.
(Starting January 11, not all toll lanes will be converted into stickering lanes. There will only be one or two stickering lanes or an installation tent before the toll gates’ approach and where RFID stickers can be attached to vehicles.)
Before this announcement, the DOTr earlier moved the start of mandatory implementation of cashless toll collections on toll roads from November 2 to December 1, in response to the clamor of motorists who have yet to attach RFID stickers on their vehicles.
The DOTr, through Department Order 2020-012, has ordered the full implementation of cashless toll collections at expressways and major toll roads in a bid to reduce physical contact in these areas as a measure against the spread of the new coronavirus, as well as to avoid traffic congestion in toll plazas.