The city government of Valenzuela on Wednesday lifted the suspension of the business permit of North Luzon Expressway (NLEX) Corporation after both parties agreed to improve the traffic flow along toll plazas located within the city.

Though the Executive Order No. 2020-338 series of 2020, Mayor Rex Gatchalian ordered the conditional lifting of the suspension provided that the NLEX will be able to address the motorists’ concerns including the faulty RFID sensors and other issues that worsened traffic in the city.

Under the agreement, NLEX Corporation shall adopt a #BarriersUp arrangement or barriers will be raised in all RFID lanes in the toll plazas within Valenzuela City from 5 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily.

After regular evaluations and assessments, both parties agreed to adopt an end goal of having a 24-hour barrier-up arrangement in the future.

“This move is in accordance with the proposed immediate solution of the corporation during the open solutions meeting with the City Government of Valenzuela last December 14, where a selective and timed barrier up procedure was presented,” a city statement read.

Apart from lifting business permit suspension, both parties agreed that cash lanes will be reinstated in strategic locations in Valenzuela City.

The NLEX has committed to upgrading its RFID system and account management to address consumer complaints on or before Jan. 30, 2021.

It also promised to prevent further violation of the conditions of the Mayor’s permit, waiver, and undertaking in the Business Permit and other local and national laws, rules, and regulations.

The city government said any violation of the conditions may result in the immediate suspension of business permit anew.

Both parties also agreed to create a technical working group that will continuously meet to innovate traffic and account management initiatives to sustain the plans for the improvement of the RFID system.

“Clearly, itong (this) toll holiday had an effect on the traffic flow and I guess (on) the overall well-being ng mga mamamayan ng (of the residents of) Valenzuela City,” Gatchalian said.

The local government of Valenzuela City suspended the business permit of NLEX on Dec. 7 following complaints of motorists about faulty RFID sensors and other issues that worsened traffic in the city.

The NLEX earlier said the readability rate of its RFIDs is now at 98 percent. (PNA)