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Barangay Poblacion 3 residents in Laurel, Batangas cross a river to gather aid on October 26, 2024 after a bridge collapsed due to torrential rain brought by severe tropical storm Kristine. Maria Tan, ABS-CBN News

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House OKs bill seeking to mandate free freight services for transport of relief goods to calamity-stricken areas

Vivienne Gulla

ABS-CBN News

<div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:960px"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1732012013893173001878231520241026-kristine-aftermath-laurel-batangas-MT-3.jpg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" alt="Barangay Poblacion 3 residents in Laurel, Batangas cross a river to gather aid on October 26, 2024 after a bridge collapsed due to torrential rain brought by severe tropical storm Kristine. Maria Tan, ABS-CBN News"/><span class="fr-inner" style="text-align:left"><span id="isPasted" style="color:rgb(104, 104, 104);letter-spacing:normal;orphans:2;text-align:left;text-indent:0px;text-transform:none;widows:2;word-spacing:0px;-webkit-text-stroke-width:0px;white-space:normal;text-decoration-thickness:initial;text-decoration-style:initial;text-decoration-color:initial;display:inline !important;float:none">Barangay Poblacion 3 residents in Laurel, Batangas cross a river to gather aid on October 26, 2024 after a bridge collapsed due to torrential rain brought by severe tropical storm Kristine. </span><em style="color:rgb(104, 104, 104);letter-spacing:normal;orphans:2;text-align:left;text-indent:0px;text-transform:none;widows:2;word-spacing:0px;-webkit-text-stroke-width:0px;white-space:normal;text-decoration-thickness:initial;text-decoration-style:initial;text-decoration-color:initial">Maria Tan, ABS-CBN News</em></span></span></span>MANILA -- The House of Representatives gave its final nod on Tuesday to a bill seeking to mandate free freight services for the transport of relief goods to areas declared to be in a state of calamity. </div><p>With 182 affirmative votes, zero negative votes and zero abstention, the lower house approved on third and final reading House Bill 10924 or the proposed Free Transportation of Relief Goods Act.</p><div><a class="fr-green fr-strong" href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/regions/2024/11/19/aurora-declares-state-of-calamity-due-to-typhoons-1423">Aurora declares state of calamity due to typhoons</a></div><div><a class="fr-green fr-strong" href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/2024/11/19/typhoons-nika-ofel-pepito-leave-p478-million-damage-942">Typhoons Nika, Ofel, Pepito leave P478-million damage</a> </div><p>“This legislation creates a vital partnership between government and the private logistics sector, requiring free freight services for relief goods while providing tax incentives to participating carriers,” House Speaker Martin Romualdez said. “By eliminating transportation costs and streamlining the delivery process, we can ensure that aid reaches disaster victims when they need it most,” he added.</p><p>Once enacted into law, the measure will require the National and Regional Logistics Cluster led by the Office of Civil Defense (OCD), in coordination with the Department of Transportation (DOTr) and in partnership with the Philippine Postal Corporation (PPC), freight companies, common carriers, private carriers, freight forwarders, and other companies providing logistic services in the Philippines to provide free freight services to duly registered organizations, which will provide relief operations to calamity-stricken areas.</p><p>HB 10924 also waives shipping auxiliary costs such as arrastre services, pilotage, and other port charges, as well as airport-related fees.</p><p>To encourage private sector participation, the bill provides a 100 percent tax deduction from gross income for the cost incurred in providing free freight services, including personnel salaries and allowances directly involved in transporting relief goods.</p><div><a class="fr-green fr-strong" href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/2024/11/18/philippines-cleans-up-after-sixth-major-storm-in-weeks-1300">Philippines cleans up as typhoon death toll rises</a></div><p>The National and Regional Disaster Risk Reduction Management Councils, through their Response Clusters, shall facilitate the speedy movement of people, goods, and equipment to the affected population and responding agencies in coordination with local law enforcement agencies, port authorities, and organizations with similar mandates and responsibilities.</p>

<p>The House of Representatives gave its final nod on Tuesday to a bill seeking to mandate free freight services for the transport of relief goods to areas declared to be in a state of calamity.</p>

The House of Representatives gave its final nod on Tuesday to a bill seeking to mandate free freight services for the transport of relief goods to areas declared to be in a state of calamity.