Interiorior and Local Government Secretary Benhur Abalos on
Tuesday vowed to go after groups and individuals
behind extortion activities
victimizing truckers and
delivery drivers in Metro
Manila and other parts of
the country.
Abalos made
the assurance following a
meeting with the Confederation of Truckers Association of the Philippines
(CTAP) who complained
that the extortionists were
deliberately disregarding Executive Order No. 41, which lifts collection
f pass-through fees for
trucks and other vehicles
transporting goods.
“It has been
a fruitful meeting, at
ang gusto ng lahat ay
([matupad] ang bilin ng
ating Pangulo, ang ease
of doing business, para
dire-diretso ang delivery
ng ating mga trucks dito
para wala ng problema,”
Abalos said.
President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr. through
the EO 41 issued last
September 25, ordered
the 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, that would result in
lower prices of goods in
the market especially food
and agricultural products.
Abalos said 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.
“Ang sumbong
sa amin ng CTAP ay may
mga iilang nangongotong. So, these are the elements na lilinisin natin,”
Abalos said.
“Maganda na ang
EO 41, lahat sumunod na,
pero dahil sa mga iilang
tao na ito ay nagkakaroon
ng problema. Hindi naman
tama iyon,” 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 is 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 strictly be monitored after one month to ensure progress and compliance from all parties involved.
Abalos stressed: “When we implement what
we’ve agreed on, importante may timeline. Kung walang
timeline, nagbobolahan lang tayo dito.”
Those who attended the closed-door meeting
were CTAP president Maria Zapata, MMDA Chairman
Atty. Romando Artes, PNP Chief Gen. Benjamin Acorda,
Jr., DILG Undersecretary Marlo Iringan, and representatives from the local government units of the City of Manila and Quezon City. DILG.GOV
