The Department of Transportation (DOTr) has delayed its plan to impose penalties on motorists who violate loading regulations on expressways in Metro Manila and nearby regions.
Transport Secretary Jaime J. Bautista said the new deadline for implementation is next year. The plan was supposed to be implemented last August 31 but it was moved to October 1 this year.
Bautista said that the agency is ensuring its toll and traffic strategies align with the President’s goal of providing solutions to the persistent traffic issues.
“The DOTr has the tools to address congestion on major roads but is taking time for a thorough review to ensure these solutions meet motorists’ needs,” he said.
The DOTr has further delayed implementing penalties for violations of Joint Memorandum Circular (JMC) No. 2024-001, the Revised Guidelines for All Vehicles on Toll Expressways, until next year.
“Penalties may take effect starting January next year,” he said.
Penalties for violations include:
• No valid ETC device: P1,000 (first offense), P2,000 (second offense), P5,000 (subsequent);
• Insufficient load: P500 (first offense), P1,000 (second offense), P2,500 (subsequent);
• Fraudulent ETC: P1,000 (first offense), P2,000 (second offense), P5,000 (subsequent);
The JMC, signed by the DOTr, Toll Regulatory Board (TRB), and Land Transportation Office (LTO), aims to enforce cashless toll collection by encouraging motorists to install Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) and maintain sufficient load when using TRB-controlled tollways.
Information gathered from recent public consultations, including data on violators, will be analyzed to guide potential amendments to the JMC.
This complies with the instruction of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. at the April 2024 Traffic Summit to provide innovative solutions to traffic congestion at major thoroughfares.
“We will implement the program, excluding the penalties,” Bautista said.
