Metro Manila, Philippines — The Toll Regulatory Board (TRB) said some 100,000 motorists or around 4.8% of tollway express users don’t have radio frequency identification (RFID) tags in their vehicles.

TRB executive director Alvin Carullo on Monday, Sept. 23, urged them to get the RFID tags as authorities are set to implement contactless toll collection on toll expressways.

The Department of Transportation has postponed the implementation of penalties for motorists violating rules of toll expressways to 2025.

“Ang karaniwang po niri-reason nila, kaparehas po ng ating mga pangkaraniwang motorista, hindi pa naman po pinapatupad nang todo ‘yung ating cashless transaction along tollway so hindi pa sila nagpapakabit ng RFID,” Carullo told a Malacañang briefing.

[Translation: The common reason for not getting RFID tags is that the cashless transaction along tollways is not yet fully implemented.]

“Meron sa ating mga motorista na parang ang pananaw nila, pagka nagkaroon sila ng RFID, i-require na sila magkaroon ng maintaining balance,” he added.

[Translation: There are motorists who think that after getting the RFID tag, they are required to maintain balance.]

He reminded tollway users, especially those who don’t frequent Metro Manila, can top off RFID with exact amounts as part of the new scheme.

Carullo said TRB has directed toll operators to fix their systems and conduct an intensive replacement program for defective RFID tags and radars.

Motorists, meanwhile, will be given opportunities to familiarize themselves with the RFID system before full implementation.