Daily Tribune‘When backed by the right infrastructure, cashless tolling reduces congestion, shortens travel times, and enhances the overall driving experience — benefiting daily commuters, businesses and the broader economy’
A security guard arranges an RFID toll sign while motorists pass through the Balintawak RFID toll gate on the North Luzon Expressway (NLEX) in Caloocan City on Tuesday, 18 February 2025.
SMC Infrastructure, a subsidiary of San Miguel Corp., supports the Department of Transportation’s review of the implementation of cashless toll collection across expressways.
On his first day in office, Transportation Secretary Vince Dizon suspended the proposal saying that it is anti-poor.
The company, nonetheless, noted that since the policy was introduced five years ago, the government and private sector have worked to enhance the tolling system for motorists.
However, it emphasized that achieving seamless interoperability among electronic toll collection systems requires a more robust infrastructure to support full cashless and contactless tolling.
“A fundamental requirement for true interoperability is the full adoption of a standardized cashless system across all toll operators,” SMC Infrastructure said Monday.
“Without the necessary infrastructure and uniform implementation, seamless integration cannot be fully realized.”
The company underscored the benefits of a properly implemented cashless tolling system, highlighting improved convenience, safety and efficiency for motorists.
“When backed by the right infrastructure, cashless tolling reduces congestion, shortens travel times, and enhances the overall driving experience — benefiting daily commuters, businesses, and the broader economy,” it said.
SMC Infrastructure reaffirmed its commitment to collaborating with the Department of Transportation and other stakeholders to refine and strengthen the system.
“We remain committed to working with the DoTr and industry partners to ensure that the implementation of cashless tolling is inclusive, efficient, and supported by the necessary infrastructure to serve all road users effectively,” the company said.
