President Rodrigo R. Duterte warned that all Toll Regulatory Board officials may be fired following the radio frequency identification (RFID) system mess in the North Luzon Expressway (NLEX).
“Hindi ko masisi ang may-ari nito, sina Ramon Ang, Ayala, because mayroon tayong regulator. Ang problema, ‘yung mga regulator is another set of incompetent people. Can I fire them? Palitan ko na lang lahat. Iyong may experience lang, iyong dumaan ng administrasyon. I don’t care if it was during the time of Aquino and Arroyo. Hindi ko matanggap iyong incompetence sa inyo kasi kami ang nasisisi and not only that, you work hardships on the people (I cannot blame the owners, Ramon Ang, Ayala, because we have a regulator. The problem is the regulators are another set of incompetent people. Can I fire them? I’ll replace them all with those who have experience. Those who worked from other administrations… I don’t care if it was during the time of Aquino and Arroyo. I cannot accept your incompetence because we are the ones getting the blame and not only that, you work hardships on the people).”
President Duterte initially did not interfere since the matter is under the jurisdiction of the local government units (LGUs). He later ordered the Department of Transportation (DOTr) for close monitoring to fix the system.
DOTr Secretary Arthur Tugade apologized about the mess caused by the RFID system and vowed to address the problem.
“I express my apologies to the users of the tollways, to the local government for the inconveniences whatever its cost. Be assured that the inconveniences cost by the design is not intended. There will be a day-to-day curing moments. Consider what is happening now as what we call as birthing experience, pero aayusin namin ‘yan, (but we will fix that) Mr. President.” – Report from Mela Lesmoras
