Haulers seek stoppage of toll fee collection

A GROUP of truckers is seeking the implementation of a Sangguniang Bayan resolution in San Simon, Pampanga that suspends the collection of toll fees from trucks passing through the town.

Led by its spokesman, Roberto Ramos, the truckers cited the SB resolution that was passed on Nov. 24, 2022 suspending the collection of P300 as fee for hauling and trucking services, as well as other heavy equipment operating within San Simon.

The special session that passed the resolution was presided over by Vice Mayor Romanoel Santos. It was also attended by representatives from the local business community. It was learned from Santos that they decided to pass the measure due to several complaints from haulers and the local business community.

“We felt that instead of allowing this toll fee collection from haulers, we passed the resolution to stop the collection. By doing this we are helping them recover from their huge operational expenses due to high prices of fuel, among others,” Santos said.

He also said the SB passed the ordinance in compliance with the

Joint Memorandum Circular 2021-01 issued by the Department of the Interior and Local Government, together with the Department of Finance and the Anti-Red Tape Authority in April last year.

The joint memorandum calls for the suspension of the imposition and collection of illegal fees and taxes on goods and products by the local government units. These fees being collected were also illegal as the route was a national road and not part of San Simon’s jurisdiction, the vice mayor said.

“If the current administration is committed to supporting ease of doing business to push the country’s economic growth, they need to suspend the collection of illegal toll fees in San Simon,” Ramos said.

The logistics transport services sector in the country, including the trucking industry, contributes about 4 percent to the Philippines’ total gross domestic product. Any disruption to their operations puts a strain on the country’s economic growth, the group’s spokesman said.