The Metro Manila Council (MMC) on Friday, Oct. 6, supported President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s order to suspend the collection of pass-through fees for vehicles carrying goods and merchandise while passing through national roads.

“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,” Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) Acting Chairman Atty. Don Artes said.

Adapting Marcos’ Executive Order (EO) No. 41, MMC released its resolution declaring a moratorium on collecting pass-through fees in support of the president’s order.

“In the interest of public welfare, said LGUs 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,” the MMDA Resolution No. 23-15 read.

Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Benhur Abalos said the suspension of collecting pass-through fees would benefit Filipinos and increase their purchasing power.

“Aside from easing the burden of consumers, EO 41 will likewise simplify the farm-to-market process of goods,” Abalos added.

MMC President Francis Zamora said that every existing ordinance of Metro Manila’s local government units (LGUs) on collecting fees for motor vehicles would be repealed or suspended.

A grain retailers group earlier voiced their support for the President's directive to lift collection fees for vehicles transporting goods as it would benefit workers, especially those in the agriculture sector, in their expenses.