Marcos suspends LGU pass-through fees for cargo vehicles

Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, September 29) — President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has ordered local government units (LGUs) to stop charging pass-through fees for vehicles transporting goods using national roads.

Marcos issued Executive Order No. 41 directing all LGUs not to collect any toll from cargo vehicles passing through any roads funded by public money.

"In the interest of public welfare, all LGUs are further strongly urged to suspend or discontinue the collection of fees such as, but not limited to, 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 Palace said in a statement on Friday, quoting the EO.

The EO also said "the unauthorized imposition of pass-through fees has a significant impact on transportation and logistics costs, which are often passed on to consumers, who ultimately bear the burden of paying for the increase in prices of goods and commodities."

The Department of the Interior and Local Government is tasked to secure copies of local ordinances on the collection of pass-through fees.

Other concerned agencies, like finance, trade, and transportation, are also directed to craft and issue guidelines for the implementation of the EO.

Marcos warned that local chiefs will face administrative and disciplinary sanctions if they fail to comply.