Bulacan mayors ready to file protest vs. NLEX management over RFID mess

The League of Municipalities of Bulacan on Wednesday said it was prepared to file a protest against the North Luzon Expressway (NLEX) management over the RFID mess, according to Saleema Refran’s report on “24 Oras.”

“Tama lang ‘yung ginawa, eh. Eto, wake up call sa lahat, ano, even sa TRB and even sa NLEX. Kami ang nagrereklamo. Dapat noon pa lamang tinigil na nila ito,” League president and Guiguinto Mayor Ambrosio Cruz Jr. said.

Meanwhile, the dialogue between the Valenzuela City government and NLEX did not push through after Mayor Rex Gatchalian took exception to a comment of an NLEX official on radio.

“Parang mayroong pasubali na sana huwag humantong sa TRO (temporary restraining order). So ang dating doon sa city government of Valenzuela ay tinatakot pa kami. We welcome them bringing us to court. Doon na lang natin pag-usapan,” Gatchalian said.

“Kasi para sa amin, wala ng good faith kung mananakot ka sa media. Ico-communicate mo ‘yung pananakot mo tapos sasabihin mo gusto mo makipagusap. Mamili ka lang ng isa. Gusto mo makipagusap ng maayos o gusto mo sa korte tayo magusap,” he added.

GMA News has reached out to NLEX for comment, but it yet to respond.

On Monday, Gatchalian suspended the business permit of NLEX prohibiting it from collecting toll.  The shift to cashless payment in the NLEX toll lanes in Valenzuela has caused horrendous traffic in the area because many vehicles have yet to get an RFID sticker.

Meanwhile, in a hearing, House Transportation Committee vice chairperson Edgar Sarmiento proposed to postpone the implementation of the cashless system in expressways.

“Sumulat po ako sa kanila, nakikiusap kami i-push back sana ito ng January. Sana makinig naman sa amin… pushback niyo kasi kawawa ang tao. Madali lang po ito kung pakikinggan lang po sana ang appeal natin. Hindi po handa ang sistema, huwag po natin pilitin,” Sarmiento said.—Joahna Lei Casilao/LDF, GMA News