Metro Manila mayors heed President’s order to halt ‘pass-through fees’
Metro Manila mayors approve traffic code in this file photo taken on February 2023. Photo: MMDA
MANILA, Philippines — The Metro Manila Council (MMC) on Friday issued a moratorium on “pass-through fees” collection on the metropolis, the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) said.
MMDA Resolution No. 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.
The MMC made the move in line with President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. Executive Order (EO) No. 41 which “strongly urges” local chief executives 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 the local government units.
Interior Secretary Benhur Abalos, who presided over the MMC meeting, said the development “will likewise simplify the farm to market process of goods.”
READ: Also consider dropping ‘pass-thru’ fees in power bills, Marcos asked
“The suspension of collection of pass-through fees will greatly help our kababayans and their purchasing power will increase,” he said in a press conference after the MMC meeting.
MMDA acting chairman Don Artes said the moratorium would help temper the inflation rate in the country, adding that its effects will be felt during the holiday season.
READ: Marcos tells local governments: Suspend ‘pass-thru fees’
“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.
“Perhaps before Christmas, we can feel the impact of the EO since many deliveries will be made,” he added.
The MMC, composed of mayors in 16 cities and one municipality in Metro Manila, is the policy making body of the MMDA.
