Department Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Benjamin Abalos Jr. on Tuesday vowed to go after the groups and individuals behind extortion activities victimizing truckers and delivery drivers in Metro Manila and other parts of the country.
Abalos made the statement following a meeting with the Confederation of Truckers Association of the Philippines (CTAP) which complained that the extortionists were deliberately disregarding Executive Order No. 41, which lifts the collection of pass through fees for trucks and other vehicles transporting goods.
“It has been a fruitful meeting, and what everyone wants is (to fulfill) the order of our President, the ease of doing business, so that the delivery of our trucks will be direct here so that there will be no problems,” Abalos said.
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. through the EO 41 issued last Sept.
25, ordered local government units (LGUs) to suspend the collection of “pass-through fees” to ensure the efficient movement of goods across regions aligned with the strategies to revitalize local industries under the Philippine Development Plan 2023-2028.
EO 41 also aims to lessen the expenses of truckers and hasten travel time, which would result in lower prices of goods in the market, especially food and agricultural products. Abalos said that daily operations will be initiated by the police to arrest and put behind bars individuals and groups that are involved in extortion activities victimizing truck drivers.
“The CTAP reported to us that there are a few people who are biting.
So, these are the elements that we will clean,” Abalos said.
“EO 41 is good, everyone has followed it, but because of these few people there is a problem. That is not right,” he continued.
Abalos likewise said that among the agreements reached during the meeting was the assurance that the MMDA and City of Manila will not impose any truck ban.
He added that the DILG will also examine city routes of trucks which are within the jurisdiction of the local government units.
Also being studied are nationwide truck routes which will be done in consultation with other national government agencies.
The DILG chief also mentioned that the measures initiated to address the issues laid down by CTAP will be strictly monitored after one month to ensure progress and compliance from all parties involved.
“When we implement what we’ve agreed on, it’s important to have a timeline. If there’s no timeline, we’re just fooling around here,” Abalos said.
Those who attended the closed-door meeting were CTAP president Maria Zapata, MMDA Chairman Atty. Romando Artes, Philippine National Police Chief Gen. Benjamin Acorda Jr., DILG Undersecretary Marlo Iringan, and representatives from the local government units of the City of Manila and Quezon City.