Mayor Gatchalian likens chaotic RFID system on NLEX to 'highway robbery'

Valenzuela Mayor Rex Gatchalian on Monday described as "highway robbery" some motorists' reported failure to pass through the North Luzon Expressway (NLEX) even after they secured RFID, or radio frequency identification, stickers for the cashless transaction.

Interviewed on Unang Balita, Gatchalian said he has experienced this problem for years even before the December 1, 2020 full implementation of the cashless system.

"Prepaid ang RFID, kinuha na nila yung pera natin, pero pag dadaan ako dun [sa NLEX] hindi ako makadaan. Tumatawag pa ako sa kanila para makadaan at maayos 'yan. So parang sa opinyon ko nga, parang highway robbery yun eh, literal na highway robbery," he said.

"Imagine mo prepaid yan, ang dami nating inobliga mag-prepaid, pero walang katumbas na maayos na serbisyo, so technically nalalapastangan na 'yung consumer rights natin," added Gatchalian, who threatened to suspend NLEX Corporation's business permit if it could not explain the chaos that marked the full implementation of the cashless system within 72 hours since the receipt of his letter -- a period that will end on Monday at 5 p.m.

In response, the NLEX management has requested for 15 days -- a period that Gatchalian said is "too long."

"Sabi nga namin masyadong matagal 'yung 15 araw," he said. "Seven years na itong problemang ito, 'di na bago ito, pero bakit ngayon lang sila nagkakandarapa ayusin?"

NLEX has six or seven toll plazas in Valenzuela City, according to Gatchalian.

Sought for comment, Robin Ignacio, senior traffic manager of NLEX/SCTEX, said the expressway's top officials are in coordination with the city government of Valenzuela regarding their request for more time.

In a separate interview on Unang Balita, Ignacio reiterated that the heavy traffic that marked the first few days of the cashless system was either due to motorists still securing RFID stickers, or those with zero or insufficient load trying to use the expressway.

"Naobserbahan po natin na mula noong December 1, 'yun ang full implementation ng RFID, unfortunately that day marami pa ring nagpapakabit ng RFID," he said.

"Mas marami 'yung wala pong load na dadaan dito sa expressway, nakalagay sa aming sensor na wala silang load or insufficient load," Ignacio added.

But Gatchalian slammed NLEX management for blaming the motorists for the chaos. "Yun ang masaklap sa NLEX, parang kasalanan lagi ng taongbayan," he said.

Citing his past experiences, Gatchalian surmised that some NLEx sensors may be defective.

Ignacio, meanwhile, in responding to Gatchalian's call for public apology, said they have repeatedly apologized to motorists affected by the chaos in NLEX following the implementation of the cashless system.

On Gatchalian's call for a toll holiday, Ignacio said it is up to the NLEX management and Valenzuela officials to discuss this. --KBK, GMA News