THE Department of Transportation (DOTr) and the Philippine Ports Authority (PPA) have reiterated their call to cargo shippers and consignees to withdraw overstaying cargoes as ports in Manila become congested anew, with yard utilization reaching over 90 percent.
“The last time we called the attention of cargo shippers and consignees, they pulled out their overstaying cargoes and we reached 75 percent utilization. Now, it is over 90 percent again. I am again appealing to you — be consistent in pulling out your overstaying cargoes to make much needed space in our ports,” Arthur Tugade, DOTr secretary, said.
“We are targeting an approximate of 60 percent utilization to achieve an ideal operation. This congestion will not only limit the movement of cargoes in our ports, it will also result to delays of cargo delivery, which will affect prices of goods, and that’s not what we want right now, or ever,” Tugade added.
To recall, DOTr and PPA asked owners and consignees of cargoes to pull out overstaying containers inside the Manila International Container Terminal and the Manila South Harbor, after both yards reached 96 to 98 percent utilization.
Jay Santiago, PPA general manager, aired the same sentiment and stressed the need for consistency in action.
“We are appealing to consignees to continue on withdrawing their cargoes to sustain the momentum. In the meantime, PPA is coordinating with the BOC (Bureau of Customs) for the disposition of the 800+ overstaying reefer containers in order to make up much needed space in the reefer yard of MICT,” Santiago said.
“Reefers staying at the terminal for more than 30 days and are not withdrawn by April 14, 2020 will be considered abandoned by the BOC and will be disposed of in accordance with law,” he added, citing the Joint Administrative Order 20-01.
“If we continue to ignore calls to withdraw even only those cleared, ready for delivery, and overstaying cargoes, our ports are in danger of total collapse, resulting in full-blown port congestion, or worst, a shutdown, and consequently a shortage in the much needed goods and supplies which are expected to address the demands of the market,” Santiago also said.
Meanwhile, PPA yesterday said it amended Memorandum Circular No. 13-2020 to further aid in minimizing the disruption of the supply chain under the current implementation of the enhanced community quarantine due to the coronavirus pandemic.
With this, truck drivers and helpers may now be allowed unhampered access to and from any PPA-managed ports, subject to safety and health measures such as accomplishment of entry protocol form, passing thru thermal scan and disinfection procedures, and referral of those symptomatic persons to Department of Health or local government unit health offices.
