The Department of Industry on Saturday urged local government units to “religiously comply” with the provisions of Executive Order 41 suspending “pass-through fees” for goods transport vehicles on national roads.

In a news forum, DTI Undersecretary Kim Lokin said the order “will not only promote ease of doing business, but it will also help local businesses to reduce transportation costs.”

He added that it will directly address the plight of consumers in terms of prices of goods.

“We are very grateful to the President… This has been a longstanding issue, not just from the truckers, but even the manufacturers, iyon pong mga local businesses,” Lokin said, citing that the issues regarding the negative impact of “pass-through fees” have been going on since 2006.

“It was only this year that it was finally addressed,” he added.

Rina Papa, the Alliance of Concerned Truck Owners and Organization vice president, echoed the same sentiments.

Papa said they are looking forward to becoming part of the technical working group that will craft the EO’s implementing rules and regulations.

She said EO 41 could make goods transporters save at least P30,000 per year on logistics costs in Manila alone — where two major international ports and the largest domestic port are located.

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. signed EO 41 on 25 September, suspending the collection of “pass-through fees” on national roads as well as the collection of sticker fees, discharging fees, delivery fees, market fees, toll fees, entry fees or mayor’s permit fees for all motor vehicles.

Papa also hoped that roads leading to business centers and manufacturing sites would also be covered by the President’s order.