Metro mayors suspend pass-through fee collection

MANILA, Philippines — The Metro Manila Council (MMC) yesterday declared a moratorium on the collection of fees from vehicles bringing goods into the metropolis, pursuant to an earlier declaration from President Marcos.

The council, which formulates policies to be enforced by the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA), enacted Resolution 23-13 suspending the collection of pass-through fees on national roads, as well as “collection of any form of fees upon all motor vehicles.”

 The resolution was created “in support of Executive Order 41 issued by President Marcos,” the MMDA said in its statement.

 “In the interest of public welfare, (local government units) 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,” according to the resolution.

Interior Secretary Benhur Abalos, who presided over the MMC meeting, said the council’s unanimous decision could help bring down the prices of basic goods such as rice.

“Metro Manila is the most affected by rising prices since agricultural products are transported from the provinces,” he said during a press conference after the meeting.

Abalos noted that EO 41 is not applicable yet on expressways owned by private firms.