DILG stops collection of local port feesTHE Department of Interior and Local Government had issued a memorandum circular stopping the collection of various fees in local ports.
Assistant DILG provincial director Louella Lucino said, the memorandum signed by Sec Ronaldo Puno was already furnished to concerned port town mayors and the Office of the Governor.
Collection of fees is seen as contrary to the visions of Pres. Arroyo in establishing his Strong Republic Nautical Highways that encourage the free flow of goods, particularly agricultural products, throughout the country.
Bohol is recipient of multi-million funds in the establishment of roll-on, roll-off ramps in ports all over the province. The province now takes pride of direct shipping routes and land travel from the province to all points in Mindanao, the Visayas and Luzon.
Traders had earlier complained about exorbitant fees allegedly collected in the ports of Loon and Tubigon.
The roro port in Tubigon reportedly collects P80 for each cargo truck and P25 for light vehicles. The collections of fees are imposed by virtue of municipal ordinances which ironically were reviewed and presumed to have been approved by the Sangguniang Panlalawigan.
Gov. Erico Aumentado vowed to look into the matter raised by traders and hopes to discuss it with concerned local officials.
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