Exporters are proposing that instead of the RFID system at the tollways, which they said is already an old technology, the government is urged to issue cards that are transferrable to other vehicles and valid in all tollways regardless of the operator to facilitate easier compliance and lessen the amount that may have to be deposited as embodied under the planned implementation of the Cashless Toll Policy (CTP).
This topped the list of recommendations in a position paper submitted on Feb. 20, 2025 by the Philippine Exporters Confederation (PhilExport) to President Marcos through Executive Secretary Lucas P. Bersamin as they strongly opposed the CTP, which they said is not just “extortionary” but also anti- poor, costly and cumbersome. The CTP is under Joint Memorandum Circular 2024-001 is set to take effect on March 15, 2025.
“We do not understand why we continue to use the Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) when this is an old technology which has been replaced in favor of more efficient systems in countries including our neighbors Singapore and Hong Kong,” stated the position paper signed by PhilExport president Sergio Ortiz-Luis Jr.
Instead of the RFID, the group said that operators should instead consider the Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) camera, which is already available from providers in the Philippines. This may later on be linked to electronic payments such as credit or debit cards or similar facilities.
“By moving to this platform, the burden of advancing deposits that is being done under the RFID will also be addressed,” the group said.
In line with its opposition against total cashless expressways, the PhilExport urged the government to maintain the dedicated cash lanes in all tollways as assistance to ordinary motorists, including workers, provincial drivers and even micro and small enterprises.
This should not disrupt the RFID lane traffic flow since these are also exclusive to RFID users. As a matter of fact, operators should even add cash lanes depending on the volume of cars that pass through their tolls
In addition, the exporters’ group has called for the removal of the existing registration system which do not seem to add any value to government nor to motorists. Those using the tollways will anyway be charged upon entry with or without the registration.
While all these processes are being put in place, PhilExport said that toll operators need to urgently address the persistent technical issues experienced by already RFID-compliant motorists through the Electronic Toll Collection (ETC) system. These issues include incorrect balance displays or screen blackouts, unrecorded payments, questionable deductions and delayed balance updates.
The PhilExport position paper was also submitted to the Department of Trade and Industry Sec. Ma. Cristina A. Roque, Transportation Secretary Vince B. Dizon, and Sec. Frederick D. Go, Special Assistant to the President for Investment and Economic Affairs.
