MVUC now under DPWH and DOTr

Among the many proclamations and laws that President Rodrigo Duterte signed last March 8 was the Republic Act 11239 or “An Act Abolishing the Road Board and Providing for the Disposition of the Motor Vehicle User's Charge  (MVUC) Collections.” Simply put, the Road Board's function is to ensure adequate maintenance of the Philippine roads by utilizing MVUC, which we motorcyclists pay every time we register our motorcycles with the Land Transportation Office (LTO). How the Road Board spent this amount was under very little scrutiny. Duterte has noted that this is subject to corruption and had called for an abolition of the board.

Now a law, RA 11239 will reallocate the funds collected from MVUC to the National Treasury under a special account in 'General Fund'. The Secretaries of the Department of Budget and Management (DBM), Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), and the Department of Transportation (DOTr) are tasked to come up with the implementing rules and regulations (IRR), along with other amendments to carry out R.A. 11239 within the next 30 days. Now under the National Budget, the MVUC collected will now be allocated to the DOTr and DPWH, with their projects put under the scrutiny of the DBM.

In addition, the DPWH will assume the duties, obligations, and liabilities of the now former Road Board. The DPWH will also acquire the Road Board's records, properties, assets, equipment, and additional funding. Employees of the secretariat of the Road Board will be absorbed into the DPWH.