It may take a month to decongest Manila's ports – DTI

It may take a month to resolve the congestion in two major ports of Metro Manila, the Departmen of Trade and Industry (DTI) said Friday.

In an interview aired on GMA News' “24 Oras” Friday evening, Trade Secretary Gregory Domingo said several measures are already being undertaken to ease congestion at the Manila International Container Port (MICP) and the Port of Manila.

These, he said, include transferring empty container vans to the ports of Subic and Batangas, keeping the Bureau of Customs warehouse open during weekends for the transfer of overstaying containers from MICP and Port of Manila as well as extending the registration for "colorum" trucks.

“Kapag nagamit natin ng 24/7 yung port, then mas mabalis maresolba ito,” Domingo said.

Malacañang has already given cargo trucks still using green plates until August 15 to apply for provisional authority from the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board.

The Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority earlier said Subic Port is willing to accommodate for free, up to 7,000 container vans from Manila's ports.

Domingo did not mention a daytime truck ban implemented by the City of Manila that has contributed to the congestion at the ports.



Congestion costs country up to P320 billion

According to the data of the Federation of Philippine Industries, the congestion in MICP and Manila Port, has already cost the country P61.2 billion to P320 billion in economic losses.

“Yung manufacturers, nababalam (naaantala) ang pagpasok ng kanilang raw materials, ano ang resulta naman niyan? Kawawa naman ang ating mga manggagawa,” said FPI president Jesus Lim Arranza.

Two importers interviewed by GMA News were dismayed at the government's slow action on the congestion in Manila's ports.

“Malaking effect talaga, malaking kabawasan sa kita. Parang ang hirap tuloy mag-negosyo sa Pilipinas, yun ang nakaka-demoralize,” said Micael Pacia, owner of a company that imports safety seals used in electric and water meters and liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) tanks.

“There are some who are thinking of not continuing their business anymore kasi it's no longer viable eh,” Pacia added.

Jay Sebastian Balboa, an importer of raw materials for hog and poultry feeds, meanwhile, warned that because of his losses, he might be forced to increase prices.

“Whatever prices we pass on to our customers, has a direct impact on meat prices kasi it affects the cost of to produce. Feeds compose about 70 percent of the cost of meat,” Balboa said. — Elizabeth Marcelo/JDS, GMA News