NLEX collects toll in Valenzuela despite suspended business permit

Despite the suspended business permit in Valenzuela, the North Luzon Expressway (NLEX) management on Wednesday was able to collect toll from motorists passing through the city after it failed to close a sensor of a toll lane at the Mindanao toll plaza.

According to Saleema Refran’s report on “24 Oras,” three days after the permit was suspended in the city, motorists complained to Valenzuela Mayor Rex Gatchalian that their RFID logs showed that their loads were decreased.

“Walang karapatan ang NLEX na maningil sa lupain ng Valenzuela dahil wala silang business permit. Kung ginagawa nila ‘yon, labag ‘yon sa suspension order at pagaaralan natin ang revocation,” Gatchalian said.

Earlier, the local government sent an audit team to the toll plaza. However, they were not allowed to look at the system and get report.

Meanwhile, the complaints have reached the Toll Regulatory Board (TRB). It said that the NLEX admitted that they were able to collect a toll in Valenzuela due to a sensor that was not closed.

“Mayroon daw isang toll lane dito sa Mindanao Avenue na nakaligtaang i-reconfigure ‘yung sistema. Mayroon tayong RFID system diyan na kahit na nakataas ‘yung barrier, nakaka-detect pa rin nitong dumadaang RFID,” TRB spokesperson Julius Corpuz said.

The TRB said NLEX will return the collected fees through a rebate. The motorists will be identified through the log.

During the suspension of the business permit, motorists that will enter Valenzuela and exit through any open system or until the Marilao exit should not pay anything.

Meanwhile, motorists that enter Valenzuela and exit through any closed system or through exits from Ciudad de Victoria must not be charged the flat fee from the open system.

"Marami ho kasing nauwi diyan sa Bocaue. Kung galing po kayo sa area ng Valenzuela, ang dati niyong binabayaran P70 sa pag-exit niyo ng Bocaue, ang babayaran na lamang diyan ay P12 na lang sapagkat hindi ho nila sinisingil ‘yung P58,” Corpuz said.—Joahna Lei Casilao/LDF, GMA News