RFID usage on NLEX, SCTEX gains support from LGUs

The impending cashless transactions to be imposed on the expressways earned the support of the government officials from Pampanga and Bulacan.

The series of dialogues between the local government units (LGU) and NLEX Corporation has resulted in the former formally backing the plans of the government to implement contactless transactions through the radio frequency identification (RFID) platform.

Bocaue, Bulacan Mayor Jose Santiago Jr. showed his support by urging his constituents to install RFID stickers.

 “Bilang alkalde ng Bocaue, hangad ko ang kaligtasan ng mga mamamayan ng aming bayan. Hinihikayat ko kayo na magpa-install ng RFID sticker sa inyong mga sasakyan para sa contactless transactions sa pagdaan ninyo sa mga toll gate ng NLEX. Isang magandang hakbang ito para sa ibayong pag-iingat natin laban sa Covid-19,” Santiago said.

Meanwhile, Meycauayan City Mayor Linabelle Ruth Villarica declared vehicles under the City Government are now equipped with RFID.

“Sa RFID, mayroon tayong contact-free transactions at siguradong mapapabilis ang biyahe. Win-win solution po ito ngayong panahon ng pandemic para sa resilience ng ating lungsod,” she claimed.

Mayor Carmelo Lazatin Jr. of City of Angeles, Pampanga said that their council has passed a resolution advising the general public to use RFID when passing through the expressways.

“Malaking tulong ang RFID laban sa COVID dahil contactless na po at wala na pong face to face na pagbabayad. Sa traffic naman po natin, mas madali at mas mabilis ang magiging daloy ng trapiko kapag naka-RFID tayo,” he said.

The initiative was also supported by his Vice Mayor, Maria Vicenta Vega-Cabigting.

“This technology will really help us curb the spread of COVID-19. I think it’s going to be a big help, not just sa convenience ng tao, but also to prevent the spread of the disease,” she said.

The Pampanga Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Inc. (PamCham) has also recognized the benefits of using RFID. PamCham President Renato Romero noted that “the use of this technology will not only reduce the queues in the toll lanes, but more importantly, mitigate the threat of the Covid-19 to the delivery of essential goods and services.”

For his part, NLEX Corporation President and General Manager J. Luigi Bautista was elated over the patronage extended by the stakeholders.

“We are overwhelmed by the support of our stakeholders in our RFID migration campaign. The RFID eliminates queuing at toll plazas and would help motorists travel with ease. Rest assured that you can count on us to help provide safe, seamless, and efficient expressway services to the public,” he stated.

Meanwhile, he reminded that the battery-powered Easytrip tags in use since 2005 at the NLEX-SCTEX will be phased out by September 30. However, the remaining balance for Easytrip tag users will be will be carried over once owners switch to the new RFID system.

“Our motorists may visit any of our installation sites, call our hotline 1-35000, or send messages to our social media accounts to know more about the RFID migration,” Bautista added.

Photo/s from NLEX Corporation

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