President Benigno S. Aquino III has authorized the rationalization of the rates of government fees and other charges to provide efficient public service.
“The rates of fees and charges collected must be just and reasonable to enable the government to effectively provide services without straining the National Government’s resources,” the order read. “Equity requires that persons receiving or benefiting from rendered services share the cost of providing such services,” it added.
The President reminded government agencies that there should be “a balance between recovering the costs of services rendered and the socio-economic impact of their imposition” in determining the rates and imposition of new fees and charges.
AO 31 assigned the Task Force on Fees and Charges, formed back in 1996, to monitor compliance of the concerned agencies.
The President also directed the Department of Finance (DOF), Department of Budget and Management (DBM) and National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) to craft the rules and regulations to implement and monitor compliance of the rationalization of government fees.
“The rules and regulations shall provide the parameters for determining just and reasonable rates, as well as safeguards to protect the public from unreasonable and arbitrary fees and charges,” the order read.
AO 31 took effect after being signed by the President last October 1.
Source: Manila Bulletin
