Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Benjamin ‘Benhur’ Abalos Jr. discussed with leaders of the Union of Local Authorities of Philippines (ULAP) the implementation of Executive Order (EO) No. 41 which prohibits the collection of pass-through fees.
“EO 41 issued last week urges local government units (LGUs) to suspend the collection of any form of fees upon all types of vehicles transporting goods under Section 153 or 155 of Republic Act (RA) No. 7160 or the Local Government Code of 1991. Such fees include sticker fees, discharging fees, delivery 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,’’ the DILG explained in statement on Monday, Oct. 9.
In a meeting with ULAP national president Gov. Dax Cua and other members of the group on Friday, Oct. 6, Abalos urged them to encourage their member leagues and respective constituent LGUs to pass resolutions of support for EO 41 expressing their commitment to align their actions with the objectives of the EO.
“The DILG recognizes that LGUs are essential partners of the national government in achieving national development goals. We, therefore, urge ULAP to mobilize support for EO 41 to facilitate the seamless flow of goods and services throughout the country,” Abalos stated.
Cua expressed ULAP’s support to the objectives of EO 41 by passing a resolution calling upon all LGUs to immediately comply with the said directive.
The Quirino governor has committed to ask all LGUs to adhere to the order and enact local ordinances suspending or discontinuing the collection of such fees within their respective jurisdictions.