Manila ports might shut down due to cargo congestion

The Philippine Ports Authority on Tuesday warned Manila ports may close down if owners and consignees do not clear the area of overstaying cargoes.

According to a 24 Oras report on Tuesday, both the Manila International Container Terminal and the Manila South Harbor are already congested as majority of containers remained idle after the implementation of the enhanced community quarantine.

The Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases already issued an order to clear the ports, However, until now, more than 2,800 containers are still stuck at the MICT.

The IATF-EID said those containers need to be disposed of so that new cargoes containing supplies for the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) may enter the ports.

The Luzon region was placed under enhanced community quarantine by President Rodrigo Duterte from March 17 to April 13 to curb the spread of COVID-19.

Strict measures, including restrictions on travel and the closure of most establishments have been imposed during the period of the quarantine.

The Philippines has so far recorded a total of 2,084 cases of COVID-19 including 88 fatalities and 49 recoveries. —Ma. Angelica Garcia/LDF. GMA News