BIZ BUZZ: When delays are okay

The Department of Transportation (DOTr) has deferred again the implementation of an order penalizing motorists for passing toll booths without RFID (radio frequency identification) or insufficient account balance to next year.

It was supposed to be enacted by Oct. 1 to promote cashless toll collection but the government has taken a step back to further evaluate the order.

Metro Pacific Tollways Corp. (MPTC) chief corporate affairs officer Mark Richmund De Leon said this was a welcome development because it gave them more time to prepare.

For example, he said the extension would allow them to better integrate their systems with the Land Transportation Office when it comes to the reporting of violations.

But the question is: Is the deferment enough time to ensure smooth implementation?

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“Good enough for us to really prepare and integrate the requirements of the government,” De Leon said.

MPTC operates the North Luzon Expressway (NLEx), NLEx Connector, Subic-Clark-Tarlac Expressway, Cavite-Laguna Expressway and Manila-Cavite Expressway, among others.