The local government of Tublay, Benguet has sought the help of the province’s caretaker, Rep. Eric Go Yap of ACT-CIS, in pushing for the abolition of national toll gate at Barangay Caponga.
Mayor Armand Lauro, during a meeting with Yap, said the LGU, including motorists from nearby towns passing through the area, have been pushing for the abolition of the toll gate.
“We are not directly benefitting from the collections from the toll gate and yet we are the ones paying every time we use it,” Lauro said.
His request was also echoed by Mayor Ruben Tinda-an of Buguias who also sought for the closure of the toll gate. The same issue was also raised with the toll gate located at Kennon Road.
The toll gates are being managed by the Department of Works and Public Highways.
“I will look at the law regarding that so if it needs to be repealed or amended then that would be the next step,” Yap told the mayors.
Benguet provincial board has been supporting the bills filed by the late Mountain Province Rep. Maximo Dalog, Sr. regarding the abolition of the toll gates in Benguet.
House bills 4570 and 4571 sought to repeal the Executive Order 34, s. 1954 issued by then president Ramon Magsaysay mandated the collection of toll fees along the Baguio-Bontoc-Halsema Highway national road, which are situated in camps 1 and 6 in Tuba and Acop, Tublay.
The late Dalog argued that with the passage of the Republic Act 8794, which imposes a motor vehicle user’s charge, motorists paying fees on the toll gates are being charged twice.
Portions of the motor vehicle user’s charges are used to maintain and improve primary and secondary roads in the country. – Ofelia C. Empian
