
The Metro Manila Council (MMC) on Friday, Oct. 6, issued a moratorium on the collection of pass-through fees, which is in line with President Marcos’ Executive Order (EO) No. 41.
EO No. 41 prohibits LGUs from levying pass-through tolls on public roads and suspends the collection of any tolls for any kind of goods-transporting vehicle.
According to the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA), the MMC, composed of 17 local government units (LGUs), unanimously decided to impose the moratorium.
MMDA Acting Chairman Don Artes said the moratorium would lessen the burden on consumers, who frequently suffer the brunt of increases in the pricing of products and commodities brought about by the abovementioned fees, and would aid in regulating the country's rate of inflation.
“We are one with President Marcos Jr.’s goal to simplify procedures required for transporters to bring produce from farm to market and to mitigate effects of inflation which impacts the public,” Artes said in a statement.
Per MMDA Resolution No. 23-15, the MMC declares a moratorium on the collection of pass-through fees on national roads and the suspension of collection of any kind of fee on all motor vehicles under Sections 153 or 155 of Republic Act No. 7160 or the Local government Code of 1991 in support of EO No. 41.
The effects of the MMDA resolution supporting EO No. 41 will be felt in the coming months, Artes said.
"Perhaps before Christmas, we can feel the impact of the EO since many deliveries will be made. Lalo rin nating mararamdaman ang epekto nito habang dumarami ang sumusuporta sa EO 41 at magsususpinde ng kani-kanilang pass-through fees (Its effects will be further felt as more LGUs back EO No. 41 and suspend their respective pass-through fees)," he went on.
It was noted that all the existing ordinances of LGUs in the metropolis on collecting such fees would be repealed or suspended due to the moratorium imposed by the MMDA.
For his part, Interior and Local Government Secretary Benjamin “Benhur” Abalos Jr. thanked the Metro Manila mayors for "the true spirit of Bayanihan" in unanimously suspending their pass-through fees collection.