Benguet toll gate removal raised again

LAWMAKERS in Tublay, Benguet asked the intervention of the Benguet Provincial Board for the possible removal or transfer of the Acop National Toll Gate along the Halsema Highway in this province.

During the 12th out of town meeting of the Benguet Provincial Board, Tublay Councilor William Esteban raised the issue for its transfer as it is causing problems in the Benguet town.

“It is not for us. The benefit that we only get from the toll gate maybe is the employment for some people in Tublay. However, it is creating so much problems already especially during heavy traffic especially, so it is in the congested area of Tublay,” stated Esteban.

The provincial board on Monday, February 11, said they previously passed a separate resolution supporting the passage of the two pending bills in the House of Representatives based on the move made by the late Mountain Province Congressman Maximo Dalog abolishing toll fees along Kennon Road and the Baguio-Bontoc Halsema National Highway.

This then also prompted the Baguio City Council sometime January 2017 to pass a resolution strongly supporting the passage of House Bill 4570 and 4571 known as “An act terminating the collection of toll fees along the portion of Benguet road: Kennon road from Klondykes spring to Camp 6 and along Halsema Highway repealing the Executive order No. 34 series 1954.”

This is to solve the demand of road users against paying multiple fees, traffic jams and road accidents, and a potential source of corruption among involved in the collection of toll fees.

According to the late Dalog, toll gates are being maintained by the national government and not the local government units, thus collection is not being used for maintenance of the roads but is remitted to the national treasury and motorists are being charged twice for using the roads because of RA 8794 which imposes the Road User’s Tax.

Board Member Ruben Paoad, during the meeting said the board will act on the matter depending on the move of the local council.

The board member and former town mayor explained Benguet is the only province country which has toll fees.

“I don’t know why COA [Commission on Audit] is not doing something anything there, what we have seen is that the collection is illegal. Our Road User’s Tax imposed is in lieu of any collection including toll fees, very clear in the law that this should all be removed,” said the alderman.

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