Unified RFID rollout targeted for July 2024
“The Toll Regulatory Board (TRB) is reportedly preparing to roll out the unified RFID wallet for all tollways.
“‘Para doon sa mga gumagamit ng tollways, meron na lang silang isang account, tapos isang RFID tag na nakakabit sa vehicle mo,’ TRB executive director Alvin Carullo recently told the press.
“According to a separate report by PhilStar.com, the TRB will initiate a dry run for the RFID interoperability on January 10. Full implementation, meanwhile, is targeted for July this year.
“The TRB is also pushing to have all toll plazas shift to fully cashless transactions by June. This includes all toll roads operated by both San Miguel (SMC) and Metro Pacific Tollways (MPTC).”
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PCG junior officer under investigation for viral small-bike SLEX video
“By now, you’ve probably seen that viral video of that kamote rider who entered the South Luzon Expressway (SLEX) on a small-displacement motorcycle and eventually ran away from enforcers who were trying to flag him down.
“The guy decided to capture footage of his ‘adventure’ and post it on social media. He basically put a huge target on his back, shot himself in the foot, and then started running while thinking he could get away.
“Authorities are already looking into this as we speak, but it looks like one agency will be investigating this matter more than the others: the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG). See, the Intelligence and Investigation Division of the Land Transportation Office (LTO) has identified the suspect in the video as CG Ensign Alain Anthony Agpalo, a junior Coast Guard officer.
“Agpalo was ordered to submit an explanation in writing why he shouldn’t be charged for disregarding traffic signs and reckless driving as well as why his driver’s license shouldn’t be revoked or suspended.
“‘We assure the public that we will cooperate with the LTO investigation. We will also conduct a parallel investigation and sanction CG Ensign Agpalo based on the evidence,’ said CG Admiral Ronnie Gil Gavan. ‘Here in the Philippine Coast Guard, we do not tolerate officers or personnel violating existing laws and regulations implemented by other agencies. They must face the consequences of their actions.’
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Top traffic violations in 2023 based on LTO data
“The Land Transportation Office (LTO) apprehended a total of 529,578 motorists in 2023 for breaking various road safety and traffic rules, with the agency citing three of the most violations.
“Topping the list, according to the LTO, are violations of the Clean Air Act (Republic Act No. 8749), the Seatbelt Law (Republic Act No. 8750), and overloading. A total of 23,615 motor vehicles were also impounded last year, representing a 47% increase versus 2022.
“The LTO did not release the exact number of apprehensions per type of violation, but to give some context, 193 vehicles out of a total of 314 tested failed the roadside emissions test of the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) in August alone. That translates to a failure rate of just 61%. A month later in September, reported incidences of haze and smog affected air quality and visibility in the capital.
“This year, the LTO will be prioritizing the implementation of the ‘no registration, no travel policy’ to crack down on 24.7 million motor vehicles with delinquent registrations across the country. Apprehensions began again in the first week of January after a brief reprieve over the holidays.
“To help mobilize enforcement units, the LTO said it will be procuring more service vehicles. ‘The mere presence of our uniformed personnel on the roads already encourages motorists to observe discipline,’ said agency chief Atty Vigor Mendoza II. ‘So we want the presence of our personnel on the road further intensified because observance of traffic discipline translates to road safety.’”
