DILG backs LGUs move to address RFID mess

Interior Secretary Eduardo Año on Sunday backed the initiative of some local government units in resolving the radio-frequency identification (RFID) system problem that caused heavy traffic at tollways in their respective areas.

In a Dobol B sa News TV interview, Año stressed the importance of sitting down and coming up with a common solution to address the RFID mess.

"Para sa akin, I'm supporting our LGUs na may ganyang aksyon. Meron naman solusyon yan e. They should sit down, talk and find a common solution. Kesa yung i-impose mo lang yung gusto mong mangyari pagkatapos ang naaapektuhan naman talaga yung mga ordinaryong mamamayan natin," he said.

Earlier, the local government of Valenzuela City suspended the business permit of NLEX Corp., the operator of the North Luzon Expressway, over its failure to immediately address the issues on the RFID system.

Several LGUs in Bulacan along NLEX are also reportedly planning to take action.

Año believes, nevertheless, that the possible actions of these LGUs would not drive away investors.

"Kailangan talaga diyan pag-uusap. Kasi nakapahirap naman talaga yung ginawa na impose mo bigla cashless transaction. E hindi naman lahat ng ating mga kababayan ay kayang makaaabot sa mga ganyang deadline," he said.

"Intindihin natin ito, hindi naman pwedeng kara-karaka, ito na deadline natin. So kung merong dapat gagawin, yung isang solution na puwedeng i-apply sa lahat," he added.

Motorists have until January 11 next year to have RFID tags installed on their vehicles, although many lawmakers, including Speaker Lord Allan Velasco, have been urging the Department of Transportation to extend deadline.

Meanwhile, Valenzuela City Mayor Rex Gatchalian is set to meet with NLEX Corp. to try to resolve the issue of RFID in the city, but he assured that this does not automatically result in the lifting of the suspension of the corporation's business permit. —LBG, GMA News