HOUSE Deputy Minority Leader and Bagong Henerasyon Rep. Bernadette Herrera is calling on the Land Transportation Office (LTO) to discontinue the collection of radio frequency identification (RFID) fees from vehicle owners.
The fees, currently set at P123.73 for motorcycles and P150.63 for motor vehicles, are mandated under LTO Memorandum Circular No. ACL-2009-1199, which introduced RFID technology as an enhancement to the motor vehicle registration system.
Herrera noted that the RFID system, initially presented as an automatic identification technology to streamline vehicle registration, is not being effectively utilized, making the fees an unnecessary burden on motorists.
“This is just a memo circular, and it should be easy to revoke. These fees are an unnecessary burden on consumers, especially since the RFID system isn’t even being used as intended,” Herrera said.
The veteran party-list lawmaker urged the LTO to prioritize public interest by eliminating these fees. “Our goal should be to ease the burden on our people, not add to it,” she said.
Herrera added: “If the RFID system isn’t serving its purpose, then there’s no justification for continuing to charge these fees. Let’s do the right thing for our motorists and eliminate this unnecessary financial burden.”
During a recent House Committee on Appropriations hearing on the 2025 budget of the Department of Transportation, Herrera questioned LTO Chief Assistant Secretary Vigor Mendoza II about the rationale for continuing to charge RFID fees when the technology is not being actively employed.
“Pwede bang tanggalin ang RFIDs na binabayaran sa LTO para mabawasan ang binabayaran ng mga motorista?” Herrera asked.
In response, Mendoza said the LTO is evaluating the feasibility of either fully implementing or eliminating the RFID system.
“The technical aspect is now being studied and we’re looking to that possibility. As to the possibility of removing the RFID, that’s also something we’re considering right now,” Mendoza said.
“If that component in the cost of the plate can be removed altogether, kung wala namang paggagamitan ang RFID, then it will be a savings on the part of the motorists,” he added. “Either way, pinag-aaralan po namin ito, and siguro by next month, makapag-submit kami ng rekomendasyon sa departamento.”
Herrera urged the LTO to expedite its review and submit a recommendation before the plenary session on the 2024 national budget, emphasizing the importance of reducing the financial burden on motorists as soon as possible.
“Sana po before plenary makapag-submit para po mabawasan ang babayaran ng mga motorista. Mas maganda po ito para sa atin,” she said.
