DOTr open to further deferment of new toll fines

The Department of Transportation (DOTr) may further extend the enforcement date of new fines on tollway users, cracking under pressure by the House of Representatives as they rethink the set of penalties it intends to impose on motorists without electronic toll collection (ETC) devices.

- ELIJAH FELICE ROSALES

In a hearing led by the House committee on transportation, Transportation Undersecretary Jesus Ferdinand Ortega said the DOTr is amenable to further postponing the implementation of Joint Memorandum Circular 2024-01.

Ortega said the DOTr deferred the enforcement of the JMC to Oct. 1, initially from Aug. 31, to give toll operators and users more time to familiarize themselves with the new rules.

"The Oct. 1 deadline is movable.. If it is needed, we will not have second thoughts about (further) extending it," Ortega said.