The Department of Transportation (DOTr) has postponed the plan to penalize motorists who violate radio frequency identification (RFID) load or tollway credit regulations on expressways in Metro Manila and nearby regions.
Transport Secretary Jaime J. Bautista again reset the deadline for its implementation to next year. The plan should have been implemented on 31 August but was moved to the first day of October this year instead.
According to Bautista, the decision ensures that its toll and traffic strategies align with President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. ‘s goal of providing solutions to the seemingly intractable traffic mess in Metro Manila.
“The DOTr has the tools to address congestion on major roads but is taking time for a thorough review to ensure these solutions meet motorists’ needs,” he said.
The DOTr also further delayed implementing the penalty for violation of Joint Memorandum Circular (JMC) 2024-001, known as the Revised Guidelines for All Vehicles on Toll Expressways, until next year.
“The penalties may take effect starting January next year,” he said.
The penalty for the various violations include the following:
- No valid ETC device: P1,000 (first offense), P2,000 (second offense), P5,000 (subsequent);
- Insufficient load: P500 (first offense), P1,000 (second offense), P2,500 (subsequent);
- Fraudulent ETC: P1,000 (first offense), P2,000 (second offense), P5,000 (subsequent);
Signed by the DOTr, the Toll Regulatory Board (TRB), and the Land Transportation Office (LTO), the joint memorandum promotes cashless toll collection by encouraging motorists to install RFIDs and maintain sufficient tollway credit or load when using TRB-controlled tollways.
Bautista said information gathered from recent public consultations, including data on violators and their violation, will be analyzed to help craft amendments to the JMC.
This complies with the instruction of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. at the April 2024 Traffic Summit seeking innovative solutions to traffic congestion at major thoroughfares.
“We will implement the program, excluding the penalties,” Bautista said.
