Tulfo, Gatchalian move to postpone this month’s imposition of toll hike

FINDING SOLUTIONS TO FAULTY RFID, RAILWAYS: Sen. Raffy Tulfo wants to find solutions to the perennial problems brought by faulty radio frequency Identification (RFID) systems, operations of toll expressways, safety and security of passengers at the Light Rail Transit (LRT) and Metro Rail Transit (MRT) during the hearing on August 5, 2024. Senate Public Relations and Information Bureau

MANILA, Philippines – Two senators have asked the Toll Regulatory Board (TRB) to postpone the implementation of toll hikes for North Luzon Expressway (NLEx) and South Luzon Expressway (SLEx) this August until it resolves issues related to radio frequency identification (RFID).

Senators Raffy Tulfo and Sherwin Gatchalian raised the issue during the Senate committe on public services’ hearing on faulty RFID systems and other transportation-related operations.

Tulfo, who heads the Senate panel, suggested holding off on the implementation after TRB executive director Alvin Carullo said they are scheduled to carry out another hike this month.

READ: Higher toll rates in NLEX effective starting June 4

“Wag muna, wag muna, look at my eyes, I’m dead serious wala muna increase […] This is the system; there is no problem for you to implement an increase but also increase the quality of service,” Tulfo said.

(Don’t implement it this month, don’t do it. Look at my eyes; I’m dead serious. Don’t implement an increase.)

“But the service is bad; that’s why many motorists choose to use toll plazas, especially skyways, to speed up their travel. They got stuck in traffic because the RFID didn’t work. So before you allow the petition to increase, it has to be justified,” he added.

Last May, TRB approved the second tranche of toll adjustments on both expressways, which started on June 4.

Under the new toll matrix, motorists traveling anywhere within the open system will pay an additional P5 for Class 1 vehicles or regular cars and SUVs, P14 for Class 2 vehicles or buses and small trucks, and P17.00 for Class 3 vehicles.

Within the closed system, north of Marilao to Sta. Ines, motorists will pay an additional P21 for Class 1 vehicles, P54 for Class 2, and P65 for Class 3.

From north of Marilao to Subic-Tipo, motorists will pay an additional P2 for Class 1 vehicles, P7 for Class 2, and P8 for Class 3, while those traveling end-to-end between Metro Manila and Mabalacat City will pay an additional P27 for Class 1 vehicles, P68 for Class 2, and P81 for Class 3.

Tulfo then grilled Carullo for allowing the toll increases despite problems due to faulty RFID stickers.

“You have the power to do that, am I right? So, you should not have allowed this until the issues are resolved. Why did you allow it?” the senator asked in a mix of Filipino and English.

“You can always tell them (the board) not to allow this and present first the problem. For sure, board members will agree to this; if not, they will have to answer to the public; sometimes, we need common sense,” he added.

In response, Carullo said he would relay Tulfo’s suggestions to the board.

“Yung mga papalag na mga taga DOTr (Department of Transportation), DPWH (Department of Public Works and Highways), DOF (Department of Finance), and Neda (National Economic and Development Authority) sabihin mo sa ‘min,” the senator warned.

(Tell us if there are members of DOTr, DPWH, DOF, and Neda who have issues regarding our suggestions.)