Gov’t, toll operators urged to review concession agreement amid RFID fiasco

MANILA, Philippines — Senator Sherwin Gatchalian on Sunday warned toll road companies that their concessions can be revoked as he called for the review of the concession agreement between the government and toll operators over issues and other possible violations committed in the implementation of the Radio-Frequency Identification (RFID) cashless payment system.

In a statement, Gatchalian said that he will file a resolution within the week for the review of the concession agreement.

He likewise slammed toll operators for failing to oversee the RFID sensors in toll plazas, which malfunctioned and contributed to the heavy traffic along expressways.

The senator’s brother, Valenzuela City Mayor Rex Gatchalian, blasted the North Luzon Expressway (NLEX) Corporation for the cashless payment system process, saying that it has caused heavy traffic in the city.

The mayor also warned that NLEX Corporation will run the risk of losing its business permit should it fail to solve the traffic caused by the RFID system.

The senator, meanwhile, did not spare the Toll Regulatory Board (TRB) over “failing to lift a finger” in the wake of complaints from motorists for the long queues and traffic.

He noted that in the implementing rules and regulations signed by the TRB board last Oct. 5 on the Department of Transportation (DOTr) order No. 2020-12 requiring cashless or contactless transactions for all vehicles traveling on toll expressways, it read that toll operators are required to “ensure at all times the efficient operation and maintenance of the toll collection facility.”

“Such is an utter display of callousness to the plight of the motorists who, because of technical glitches and apparent inaction of concerned authorities, get stuck in traffic for hours,” Gatchalian said.

“It’s all over the news that snags in the installation of RFID stickers prior to and especially on the day of the start of the cashless toll collection resulted in the high volume of cars along the expressways,” he lamented.

“This has been happening for several days now. Had there been any clear sign or action from the concerned parties in resolving this monstrous traffic jam? None,” he added.

JE