Metro Manila, Philippines – New Transportation Secretary Vince Dizon has ordered the suspension of the full toll cashless system scheduled for March 15.
He called the scheme anti-poor and said he has spoken to the Toll Regulatory Board (TRB) and toll operators about the suspension.
“I want to first work with two toll operators, MPTC (Metro Pacific Tollways Corporation) and San Miguel (San Miguel Corporation), and tingnan muna natin iyong sistema [let’s look at the system first’. Is there a way to make it more efficient?]” Dizon said in his first press briefing after taking oath on Friday, Feb. 21 at Malacañan Palace.
“Kaya niyong mag-load…ng dalawang libo, tatlong libo…Paano iyong mga kababayan natin na sagad sagad ang budget. Hindi sila makaka-load,” he explained.
[Translation: You can load… two thousand, three thousand pesos… How about our countrymen on a shoestring budget? They won’t be able to load.]
Dizon said he understands the need for regulation but it “should not result in making the lives of people difficult.”
“Itong cashless na ‘to tingin ko pagpapahirap ito. Kaya hindi ako naniniwala diyan. Siguro pagdating ng panahon na perfect na system,” he said.
[Translation: This cashless system, I think it’s making things harder. That’s why I don’t believe in it. Maybe when the system is perfect, then I’ll believe it.]
The contactless toll payment was first carried out in 2020 at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic but was suspended due to operational issues. The revised schedule was August 2024 but was pushed back to March 2025.
The TRB earlier said going cashless will improve traffic flow.
In a statement, San Miguel Corporation Infrastructure acknowledged Dizon’s decision to suspend the cashless system.
The toll operator said it will work closely with the government to refine the system that will be inclusive and effective for its users.
SMC operates and maintains the Skyway System and NAIA Expressway in Metro Manila, SLEx and STAR Tollway in Calabarzon, and the Tarlac-Pangasinan-La Union Expressway (TPLEx) which connects Central and Northern Luzon and serves as the gateway to the Cordillera Administrative Region.
“We understand the need to ensure that any transition to cashless tolling is seamless and truly beneficial to the public. When implemented effectively, it enhances convenience, safety, and efficiency for everyone on the road. Beyond just improving toll transactions, cashless tolling helps ease congestion and shorten travel times—making daily commutes easier and supporting businesses and individuals who rely on efficient road networks,” it said in a statement on Monday, Feb. 24.
Metro Pacific Tollways Corporation has yet to issue a statement.
