SENATOR Joseph Victor G. Ejercito on Monday suggested that a portion of the road user’s tax should still be used for road safety projects.
He said this in response to President Rodrigo R. Duterte’s plan to use the funds for the Bicol region’s flood control projects.
“While I support PRRD’s proposal, I suggest that the portion for road safety projects will be retained and the remaining portion be allotted for the suggestion of the President,” Mr. Ejercito, a vice-chairperson of the Senate committee on finance, said in a mobile phone message to reporters.
“We cannot sacrifice the whole road safety program, this would mean saving lives too,” he added.
For his part, Senator Panfilo M. Lacson said the suggestion may be supported as long as it was in line with Republic Act No. 8794 or the law imposing the road user’s tax, also known as the motor vehicle user’s charge (MVUC).
“As long as the usage is compliant with the provisions of RA 8794 which include a menu list that specifies and limits the description of the projects to be implemented utilizing the proceeds of the MVUC,” Mr. Lacson, also a vice-chairperson of the committee, said in a mobile phone message to reporters.
Mr. Duterte, during a situation briefing last Friday in Camarines Sur in the aftermath of typhoon Usman, said he wanted to use the road user’s tax collected by the Road Board to fund for infrastructure and flood control projects that will improve the Bicol region’s preparedness against disasters.
The President made the statement amid the conflicting positions of both chambers of Congress regarding the bill abolishing the Road Board. The bill, which remained pending, also seeks to transfer the road user’s tax collections to be remitted directly to the National Treasury and to be appropriated for projects of the DPWH, Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), and the Department of Transportation (DoTr).
House Majority Leader Rolando G. Andaya, Jr. on Sunday said that they are ready to designate members of the bicameral conference committee that will reconcile the disagreeing positions of the House and Senate regarding the abolition of the Road Board. It was Senate Majority Leader Juan Miguel F. Zubiri who previously proposed for the bicameral conference committee.
In response to Mr. Andaya, Senate President Vicente C. Sotto III told reporters in a mobile phone message on Monday that the Road Board issue will be discussed by the Senate in an all-senators caucus on Jan. 14 when Congress resumes session.

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