“Technology should not be anti-people. The people should not be the ones being penalized for the shortcomings of expressway concessionaires,” Representative Daza (1st District, Northern Samar) said.
It will be remembered that the implementation of the revised toll expressway guidelines, including a penalty system for motorists without valid radio frequency identification (RFID), has been suspended and moved to Oct. 1 instead of Aug. 31.
“We appreciate the postponement but it is not sufficient that the deadline was moved. This is about reforms. Expressway concessionaires should fix their toll collection systems; that’s the least they can do for motorists,” Daza stressed.
Alvin Carullo, executive director of the Toll Regulator Board (TRB), agreed that the country needs to revolutionize toll systems during Wednesday’s budget hearing of the House of Committee on Appropriations.
“We should ensure that expressway concessionaires are being held accountable to the key performance indicators (KPIs) set by the TRB,” the solon added.
The TRB admitted that some indicators are not being reached.
“Hindi naman po p’wede na one-sided lamang ang benefits and penalties—our motorists are the ones giving them business,” Daza shared.
Several House members present at the committee hearing agreed that the motoring public should not suffer for the shortcomings of TRB and toll operators.
“There should be a clear formula as to how concessionaires may be charged or penalized for not complying to their performance standards. Until all the issues are addressed and improvements done, I recommend the indefinite postponement of the October 1 deadline,” he said.
“For our part, the government can help in the modernization of systems through funding and if necessary, legislation. The private sector should be involved in research and development,” the solon from Northern Samar added.
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