The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) was eyeing a reduction in prices of goods during “Ber months” after President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. suspended the collection of pass-through fees for vehicles transporting goods and merchandise.

In a report by RH Boy Gonzales, DTI Secretary Alfredo Pascual said prior to the suspension, the ordinance of local government units (LGUs) charged trucks pass-through fees that ranged from P75 to P2,500.

Pascual said these rates increased logistics costs that would pass onto consumers when the products were up for purchase in the market.

The trade and industry chief also thanked Marcos for implementing the order during “Ber months.”

Under Marcos’ Executive Order (EO) No. 41, LGUs were prohibited from collecting pass-through fees on national roads. The order also “strongly urged” LGUs to “suspend or discontinue the collection of fees, such as but not limited to, sticker fees, discharging fees, delivery fees, market fees, toll fees, entry fees, or Mayor’s Permit fees” which were imposed on every motor vehicles transporting goods and traversing public roads established and funded by said LGUs.

Meanwhile, a grain retailers group earlier voiced their support for the directive to lift collection fees for motor vehicles transporting goods as it would help workers, especially those in the agriculture sector, in their expenses.