Gatchalian warns toll operators of possible concession revocation amid RFID mess

Senator Win Gatchalian is calling for the review of the concession agreement between the government and toll operators over issues of non-performance and other possible violations committed in the implementation of the Radio-Frequency Identification (RFID) program and warns toll road companies that their concessions can be revoked.

Gatchalian will file a resolution within the week while slamming toll operators anew for failing to oversee some malfunctioning RFID sensors in toll plazas prior to the implementation last December 1 of the cashless transactions, which contributed to the heavy traffic along expressways in the past few days.

The senator took note of reports on defective RFID sensors such as the case of those traversing the interchange in the North Luzon Expressway (NLEX) leading to Valenzuela City.

Gatchalian likewise did not spare the Toll Regulatory Board (TRB), the agency that regulates the operation and maintenance of toll facilities, for failing to lift a finger in the wake of numerous complaints from motorists of long queues and traffic congestion.

He noted that in the Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR) signed by the TRB board last October 5 on the Department of Transportation (DOTr) Order No. 2020-12 requiring cashless or contactless transactions for all vehicles travelling on toll expressways, it says that toll operators are required to "ensure at all times the efficient operation and maintenance of the toll collection facility."

Furthermore, the TRB obligated the toll road companies to act on motorists' complaints within three business days from the time of referral or filing of the complaint, and failure to do so without any justifiable reason shall automatically result in the resolution of the issue in the motorists' favor.

The IRR also provides for the imposition of a penalty against toll road companies for non-compliance with the policy of the TRB.

"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. 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 emphasized.

"The public expects to take cue from the authorities but obviously no one is taking the lead. Toll road operators have the temerity to exact fees from the public without any commensurate services. It's deplorable to say the least," Gatchalian concluded.

# # #

Gatchalian nagbabala ng posibleng pagbawi sa concession ng toll operators sa gitna ng kapalpakan sa RFID

Nanawagan si Senador Win Gatchalian na busisiin ang concession agreement o kontratang pinasok ng gobyerno sa mga toll operators kaugnay ng kapalpakan at ilang paglabag sa pagpapatupad ng programang Radio-Frequency Identification (RFID) sa mga expressways. Posible aniyang bawiin ang concession ng toll road companies dahil dito.

Plano ni Gatchalian na maghain ng resolusyon sa loob ng linggong ito habang muling binatikos ang mga toll operators at pinapanagot sila sa mga pumapalyang RFID sensors sa mga toll gates matapos ang pagpapatupad ng cashless transactions simula noong Disyember 1 na nagdulot ng matinding trapiko sa mga expressways nitong mga nakaraang araw.

Partikular na pinuna ng senador ang mga naiulat na pumapalyang RFID sensors katulad ng nararanasan ng mga motoristang papasok ng Valenzuela City at dumadaan sa North Luzon Expressway (NLEX) interchange.

Hindi rin pinalampas ni Gatchalian ang pagbabatikos sa Toll Regulatory Board (TRB), ang ahensiyang nasa likod ng pangungulekta ng toll. Sabi ng senador, obligado ang naturang ahensiya na aksyunan ang mga reklamo ng mga motorista sa loob sa tatlong araw matapos itong idulog sa kanila. Ang kawalan ng aksyon ay magreresulta sa pagkaresolba ng kaso sa panig ng motorista.

Batay sa Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR) na pinirmahan ng TRB noong Oktubre 5 sa Department Oder No. 2020-12 ng Department of Transportation (DOTr) hinggil sa pagpapatupad ng cashless o contactless transactions sa lahat ng motoristang dumadaan sa mga expressways, dapat siguruhin at panatilihin ng mga toll operators ang kaayusan ng pagkukulekta ng toll.

Nakasaad din sa nasabing IRR ang pagpapataw ng parusa sa kumpanya dahil sa hindi pagsunod sa mga polisiya ng TRB, ang ahensyang nangangasiwa sa operasyon at pagpapanatili ng mga pasilidad na may kinalaman sa toll gates.

"Ito'y malinaw na kawalan ng malasakit sa kapakanan ng mga motorist na, dahil sa mga technical glitches at kulang na pag-aasikaso ng mga kinauukulan, nagdurusa at naiipit ng ilang oras sa traffic," mariing sinabi ni Gatchalian.

"Matinding trapiko at kaguluhan ang idinudulot ng mga kapalpakan sa pagpapakabit ng RFID stickers lalo na noong simula ng pagpapatupad ng cashless toll collection noong December 1. Sa mga nakalipas na araw, palagi na lang tumatambad sa atin ang ganitong sitwasyon. May narinig na ba tayong kaukulang suhesyon o aksyon mula sa mga kinauukulan para matapos na itong problema sa trapiko? Wala," dagdag ng senador.

"Nakakalungkot isipin na nakakayanan nilang igiit ang pangongolekta ng mga bayarin sa publiko ngunit hindi naman natutumbasan ng kaukulang serbisyo," pagtatapos ni Gatchalian.

# # #