A group of truckers has sought the implementation of a Sangguniang Bayan (SB) resolution in San Simon, Pampanga that suspended the collection of toll from trucks passing through the town.
The truckers' spokesman, Roberto Ramos, said that the resolution passed last Nov. 24 suspended the collection of P300 from hauling and trucking services, including heavy equipment, operating within the municipality.
Ramos said the resolution was passed in a special session presided over by San Simon Vice Mayor Romanoel Santos and attended by representatives of the local business community.
Santos said the municipal council decided to pass the resolution due to several complaints from haulers and the local business community.
He added that the SB passed the ordinance in compliance with the Joint Memorandum Circular (JMC) No. 2021-01 issued by the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG), together with the Department of Finance (DOF) and the Anti-Red Tape Authority (ARTA), in April last year suspending the imposition and collection of fees and taxes on goods and products by LGUs.
Santos said the collection of toll was illegal as their route was a national road and not part of San Simon’s jurisdiction.
“If the current administration is committed to supporting ease of doing business to push the country’s economic growth, they need to take action in suspending the collection of illegal toll in San Simon,” Ramos said.