New DOTr chief halts fully cashless toll collection plan, calling it 'anti-poor'
MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Transportation (DOTr) has ordered the Toll Regulatory Board (TRB) to suspend its planned implementation of fully cashless transactions in tollways.
The TRB had previously announced the enforcement of fully cashless toll collection starting March 15, which would have required motorists to install radio frequency identification (RFID) on their vehicles.
Newly appointed Transportation Secretary Vince Dizon, fresh from his oath-taking at Malacañan Palace, confirmed he has already issued the order suspending TRB's mandate.
"I've already told TRB to suspend that," Dizon stated at a press briefing on Friday, February 21.
The complete shift to cashless transactions would have eliminated cash lanes in tollways. But revious attempts at implementing a fully cashless system resulted in increased traffic congestion, Dizon said.
The new DOTr chief plans to collaborate with Metro Pacific Tollways Corp. and San Miguel Corp. to review the system before implementing any new payment scheme.
Dizon expressed concerns about the impact of a fully cashless system on lower-income citizens. "Having a cashless system is not pro-poor. It is anti-poor," he said.
He reasoned that individuals from lower-income brackets might struggle to load their RFIDs with larger amounts. There could also be scenarios where motorists forget to load their RFIDs.
"The need to regulate should not result in making the lives of people difficult," Dizon said.
The TRB's original announcement had stated that drivers without a valid RFID would still be allowed to pass through toll plazas, provided they agreed to have a sticker installed.
It believes the move would result in "a better and more efficient traffic flow will result once these lanes are strictly used for electronic toll collection only."
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