GOVPH

Following the Department of Transportation’s (DOTr) issuance of its Department Order No. 2024-022 lifting D.O. No. 2021-003, or the Addendum to D.O. No. 2020-012, “Requiring Cashless or Contactless Transactions for All Vehicles Travelling on Toll Expressways”; the Toll regulatory Board’s (TRB) issuance of the Revised Implementing Rules and Regulations of DOTr’s Department Order No. 2020-012; and after several months of dry-run implementation thereof, the Cashless/Contactless Transactions Program will be re-implemented starting March 15, 2025 in all toll expressways under the TRB’s jurisdiction. This program intends to optimize the use of all the toll lanes/plazas through the utilization of Electronic Toll Collection (ETC) System.

It can be recalled that the program was initially implemented sometime in December 2020 but it was suspended due to several operational issues.

Thus, starting March 15, 2025, all motor vehicles travelling along the toll expressways are mandatorily required to have Valid ETC Device/Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) sticker installed on them. Those motor vehicles without Valid ETC Device/RFID Sticker will nonetheless still be allowed to enter the toll lane/plaza, but shall be installed with an ETC Device/RFID Sticker at the designated space after the toll plaza, or the nearest installation site. However, the Land Transportation Office (LTO), through its deputized personnel, will issue against them either a Temporary Operator’s Permit or a Show cause Order for violating the “No Valid ETC Device, No Entry” Policy under the DOTr/LTO/TRB’s Joint Memorandum Circular No. 2024-001, and will be meted the corresponding penalty/ies.

It has been observed that the dedicated toll lanes used by cash paying motorists are usually congested with long lines of motor vehicles, and the same often hamper the fast and efficient flow of traffic leading to the ETC designated lanes. It is expected that a better and more efficient flow of traffic will result once these lanes are strictly used for ETC only.

All motorists who have yet to avail of ETC Device/RFID Sticker are thus encouraged to do so this early, to avoid penalties and for a problem-free travel along toll expressways.

Considering the roll-out of the Cashless or Contactless Transactions Program, and as directed by the DOTr, LTO and TRB, the Toll Expressway Concessionaires, Operators, and RFID Service Providers will establish and make available more RFID installation sites, and multifarious loading modes, and loading stations in and out of the toll expressways; reach out of their customers through caravans and corporate or group events; and establish installation sites prior to entry in most or at least in all major entries of toll expressways. They will also facilitate and simplify the ETC Device/RFID Sticker application and installation procedures.

The installation of ETC Device/RFID Sticker is free, and there is no required maintaining balance. ETC/RFID subscribers may load the exact amount of toll fees needed to travel along the toll expressway. All of these are meant to make it easy and more convenient to the motorists.

To complement the subject program, the Toll Expressway Concessionaires, Operators, and RFID Service Providers are mandated under the 2024 Minimum Performance Standards and Specifications (MPSS) to conform and comply with the enumerated Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) for the Toll Collection System, as well as other operations-related matters. Failure to do so will warrant the imposition against them of the corresponding penalties and other sanctions.

Accordingly, the DOTr, LTO and TRB fervently seek the cooperation and assistance of all the stakeholders to achieve efficient and smooth transactions; and faster, safer, and convenient travel, along all toll expressways.