Suspend toll cashless system - new DOTr chief

Metro Manila, Philippines - New Transportation Secretary Vince Dizon has ordered the suspension of the full toll cashless system scheduled for March 15.

He called the scheme anti-poor and said he has spoken to the Toll Regulatory Board (TRB) and toll operators about the suspension.

“I want to first work with two toll operators, MPTC (Metro Pacific Tollways Corporation) and San Miguel (San Miguel Corporation), and tingnan muna natin iyong sistema [let’s look at the system first’. Is there a way to make it more efficient?]” Dizon said in his first press briefing after taking oath on Friday, Feb. 21 at Malacañan Palace.

“Kaya niyong mag-load…ng dalawang libo, tatlong libo…Paano iyong mga kababayan natin na sagad sagad ang budget. Hindi sila makaka-load,” he explained.

[Translation: You can load... two thousand, three thousand pesos... How about our countrymen on a shoestring budget? They won't be able to load.]

Dizon said he understands the need for regulation but it “should not result in making the lives of people difficult.”

“Itong cashless na ‘to tingin ko pagpapahirap ito. Kaya hindi ako naniniwala diyan. Siguro pagdating ng panahon na perfect na system,” he said.

[Translation: This cashless system, I think it's making things harder. That's why I don't believe in it. Maybe when the system is perfect, then I'll believe it.]

The contactless toll payment was first carried out in 2020 at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic but was suspended due to operational issues. The revised schedule was August 2024 but was pushed back to March 2025.

The TRB earlier said going cashless will improve traffic flow.

Toll operators SMC and MPTC have yet to issue statements.