Govt to ship out, impose fine on overstaying cargo in Manila ports

 

The government will ship out and impose fines on cargo overstaying in the congested ports of Manila starting next week as part of efforts to resolve the problem, Malacañang announced Tuesday.

 

Government agency heads have agreed to ship out overstaying cargoes from Manila ports, either to the Port of Subic or Batangas come September 8, Communications Secretary Herminio Coloma Jr. said at a press briefing.

 

The Palace official said importers and brokers have five days to pull out their Customs-cleared cargoes from Manila ports before the government start transferring the unclaimed containers.

 

“Binibigyan ng sapat na pagkakataon ‘yung mga may-ari ng mga cargo na tumulong dito sa decongestion of the Port of Manila dahil sa mataas na prayoridad na binibigay ng ating pamahalaan sa pagresolba ng problemang ito,” he said.

 

Overstaying cargoes will also be charged P5,000 per day starting October 1, Coloma added.

 

Some 70,000 containers are currently causing congestion in Manila ports.

 

The Federation of Philippine Industries estimates up to P320 billion in economic losses due to this congestion. – VS, GMA News