Transport groups blast 'sham' hearing on toll hike

MANILA, Philippines - Public transport groups yesterday lambasted the Department of Transportation and Communications (DOTC) and the Toll Regulatory Board (TRB) for holding what they call was a mere “ceremonial” public hearing on the proposed toll increase.

Efren de Luna, president of the Alliance of Concerned Transport Organizations (ACTO) said there was no genuine hearing of stakeholders and tollway users, adding that the gathering was held if only to satisfy the requirements for the imposition of the VAT.

“DOTC Secretary Mar Roxas did not attend and also TRB officials like its executive director Manuel Imperial or even Solicitor General (Jose Anselmo) Cadiz. It’s obvious that they held it so they can produce an attendance list of a public hearing they conducted which they can show as proof they held it to get the comments of stakeholders,” De Luna said.

Yesterday’s hearing was the first of two public hearings scheduled by the TRB on the VAT on toll. The second hearing is set on Sept. 5.

Tollway management firms and the BIR had settled on the Oct. 1 implementation date for the collection of the 12-™percent VAT on toll.