Prior Approval by NEDA Before Government Agencies May Impose New Fees or Increase Fees

June 19, 2007

MEMORANDUM CIRCULAR NO. 132

ENJOINING ALL DEPARTMENTS, BUREAUS, COMMISSIONS, AGENCIES, OFFICES AND INSTRUMENTALITIES OF THE NATIONAL GOVERNMENT, INCLUDING GOVERNMENT-OWNED AND/OR CONTROLLED CORPORATIONS TO SEEK PRIOR APPROVAL FROM THE NATIONAL ECONOMIC AND DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY (NEDA) BOARD BEFORE IMPOSING NEW FEES OR INCREASING FEES

WHEREAS, it is the thrust of the government to improve the country's competitiveness in the global economy; HIaTCc

WHEREAS, there is a need to review the new fees and increases in the fees imposed by the national government to ensure that these are properly coordinated with the stakeholders and consistent with established national priorities of the government;

WHEREAS, the NEDA Board is primarily responsible for formulating continuing, coordinated and fully integrated social and economic policies, plans and programs;

WHEREAS, in the January 30, 2007 Joint National Anti-Poverty Commission (NAPC) and NEDA Cabinet Group meeting, the President and the Cabinet Members deemed it prudent for all departments, bureaus, commissions, agencies, offices and instrumentalities, including government-owned and/or controlled corporations (GOCCs), to seek NEDA Board approval before imposing new fees or increasing fees.

In this connection, all departments, bureaus, commissions, agencies, offices and instrumentalities, including GOCCs, shall seek NEDA Board approval before imposing new fees or increasing fees.

This Memorandum Circular shall be effective immediately after publication in a national newspaper of general circulation.

DONE in the City of Manila, this 19th day of June, in the Year of Our Lord, Two Thousand and Seven.

Published in The Manila Times on June 27, 2007 and in the Official Gazette, Vol. 103, No. 32, p. 5108, August 6, 2007.