Fines on tollway users sans ETCs deferred anew

MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Transportation (DOTr) has deferred anew the enforcement of new fines on tollway users without electronic toll collection (ETC) devices to allow a “thorough review” of the Joint Memorandum Circular (JMC) 2024-001 which imposes penalties on motorists.

Transportation Secretary Jaime Bautista yesterday said the implementation of penalties for violations stated in JMC 2024-001, the Revised Guidelines for All Vehicles on Toll Expressways, may take effect in January 2025.

“We will implement the program, excluding the penalties,” Bautista said.

The JMC was supposed to be implemented last Aug. 31, but was moved to Oct. 1.

The JMC, signed by the DOTr, Toll Regulatory Board and Land Transportation Office on Aug. 1, aims to enforce cashless toll collection by encouraging motorists to install radio frequency identification (RFID) and maintain sufficient load when using TRB-controlled tollways.

The JMC sets fines of P1,000 for the first offense, P2,000 for the second offense and P5,000 for subsequent offenses.

It will also punish motorists who exit an expressway with insufficient load balance in their RFIDs: P500 for the initial offense, P1,000 for the second offense and P2,500 for proceeding offenses.

The JMC aims to remove the build-up at toll gates caused by cash booths, which the DOTr blames as a cause of heavy traffic.

“Information gathered from recent public consultations, including data on violators, will be analyzed to guide potential amendments to the JMC,” the Presidential Communications Office said.

Legislators, led by House of Representatives transportation committee chairman and Antipolo 2nd District Rep. Romeo Acop, have urged the DOTr to withdraw the circular, saying the agency failed to consider whether expressway operators are ready to go fully cashless, pointing out motorists’ complaints that several toll plazas fail to read RFIDs.