Daily Tribune
The Department of the Interior and Local Government on Friday has lauded the decision of Metro Manila mayors to suspend the implementation of pass-through fees on national roads and suspension of collection of any form of fees on all vehicles transporting goods that passed through national roads and other roads constructed and funded by LGUs.
DILG Secretary Benjamin Abalos Jr. also expressed his gratitude to Metro Manila mayors for "the true spirit of bayanihan" in unanimously suspending their pass-through fees collection.
He added that it's about time to enforce the prohibition of such fees which the DILG has been reiterating since 2006.
MMDA Resolution 23-15 stated that the Metro Manila Council declares a moratorium on the collection of pass-through fees on national roads and suspension of collection of any form of fees upon all motor vehicles under Sections 153 or 155 of Republic Act 7160 in support of Executive Order Number 41 issued by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.
"In the interest of public welfare, said LGUs are further strongly urged to suspend or discontinue the collection of fees, such as but not limited to, sticker fees, discharging fees, market fees, toll fees, entry fees, or Mayor's permit fees, that are imposed upon all motor vehicles transporting goods and passing through any local public roads constructed and funded by said LGUs," said the resolution adapting the EO 41.
The Interior Department has since issued at least eight memorandum circulars, the most recent of which is DILG MC 2018-133, ordering city governments to "refrain from enforcing any existing ordinance authorizing the levy of fees and taxes on their interprovince transport of goods and merchandise, regulatory fees in local ports, and other additional taxes, fees or charges in any form upon the transport of goods and merchandise."
"The suspension of collection of pass-through fees will greatly help our kababayans and their purchasing power will increase," said Abalos. "Aside from easing the burden of consumers, EO 41 will likewise simplify the farm to market process of goods."
