CLOSE to 1,000 motor vehicle owners in Baguio City rushed to Baguio Athletic Bowl Monday morning, November 16, to avail themselves of the installation of the Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) stickers for cashless transaction in toll operated expressways.
Lieutenant Colonel Oliver Panabang, Baguio City Police Office (BCPO) Traffic Enforcement Unit (TEU), chief said 1,000 vehicle owners having plate numbers ending from 1 to 5 were installed with the RFID stickers.
Another 1,000 are expected to be given RFID stickers Tuesday, November 17, with plate numbers ending from 6 to 0.
"This installation of Autosweep RFID to Go.stickers in Baguio City is a two-day activity to be used at the Tarlac-Pangasinan-La Union Expressway (TPLEX). Unfortunately, the deluge of vehicle owners started to flock here at the athletic bowl since 5 a.m. which resulted in traffic along the BGH rotunda," Panabang said.
The Toll Regulatory Board (TRB) said all Luzon expressways are ready to implement the cashless toll collection on all toll roads starting November 2, but toll operators will continue to install the RFID stickers on vehicles even after the scheduled enforcement date.
Vehicles without RFID stickers will be allowed to enter the toll plaza but will be required to get one before proceeding to the expressway.
Cashless toll collection is being implemented pursuant to Department of Transportation (DOTr) Department Order 2020-012, which was issued by the government to contain the spread of the coronavirus disease (Covid-19) and facilitate passage on expressways.
"With what we experienced during the first day of sticker installation, we are advising motor vehicle owners to abide by the 9 a.m. schedule so us not to clog the traffic prone areas particularly at the BGH rotunda. The installation process will only take a few minutes per vehicle so this should not be a source for the build - up of traffic in this area," Panabang added.
While the RFID stickers are free, motor vehicle owners will be asked to pay P500 for the initial load.
Motor vehicle owners who will avail themselves of the RFID stickers are require to download their duly accomplished forms accessible at https://drive.google.com/file/d/jN5o2DT3J/view.