Truckers say at least 30% increase in logistics costs to be expected

A truckers’ group said it will be implementing a 30% increase in prices for their services amid oil price hikes due to the conflict in the Middle East.

In a Balitanghali interview on Tuesday, Confederation of Truckers Association of the Philippines Inc. president Maria Zapata said the 30% increase in rate was decided on when fuel prices hit P90 per liter.

Considering the forthcoming increases, she said they will be conducting a sit-down with their members to discuss the best approach for clients.

“Nakakatakot nga ito eh kasi made-delay ang arrival ng lahat ng kargamento… Nakakatakot dito ‘yung food, ‘yung pagkain,” she said.

(This is scary because the arrival of cargo might be delayed… What we should be scared of here is the food.)

“It will cause an artificial displacement again ng mga tao at ng mga trabahador. Napakaraming magiging komplikasyon nito kung hindi magkakatulong-tulong ang gobyerno at saka ang private sector,” she added.

(It will cause an artificial displacement of people and laborers again. There will be a lot of complications here if the government and private sectors do not help each other.)

Zapata said diesel made up 50% of their operational costs, which almost doubled as prices soared to more than P100 per liter.

“Mapipilitan kaming humingi ng consideration sa aming mga kliyente para ma-recover namin ‘yung cost of fuel,” she said.

(We might be forced to ask for consideration from our clients to recover our cost of fuel.)

She also called on the government to include truckers among the groups to receive aid amid the fuel crisis.

Prices of fuel increased again this week as the conflict in the Middle East continued.

For March 17 to 23, the prices are as follows:

• Diesel: P20.40 to P23.90 per liter
• Gasoline: P12.90 to P16.60 per liter
• Kerosene: P6.90 to P8.90 per liter

Iran warned the world’s nations to expect high prices of up to $200 per barrel of crude oil in the coming days amid the blockade at the Strait of Hormuz. — JMA, GMA Integrated News