MANILA, 2 July (PIA)--The government is set to take inter-agency efforts to decongest ports in Metro Manila, thus facilitating the efficient processing and movement of goods not only in the capital, but in various parts of the country.
In a news release, the Department of Finance bared the following agencies are working together to implement the immediate efforts:
The Bureau of Customs (BOC) will implement a 30-day cargo seizure measure, which will ensure that no cargo overstays in one port.
To aid in decongesting key ports, the Office of the Cabinet Secretary will look into the utilization of strategic government properties as storage areas for seized cargo.
To hasten the processing of inbound and outbound cargo, port operations will continue even during weekends, with the Department of Finance (DOF) coordinating with banks to guarantee that transaction services are online throughout the workweek.
In line with this, the Philippine Economic Zone Authority (PEZA) and the Bureau of Customs will continue to process goods in ports on a 24/7 basis.
To make sure that all are informed of these measures, and to make possible the continuous flow of cargo operations, the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) will coordinate with companies, warehouse operators, and other stakeholders.
Another approach to be implemented is the maximization of both the Batangas and Subic Ports, which will be utilized for cargo bound for areas outside of Metro Manila, thus limiting the number of cargo that will have to directly pass through the capital.
The Philippine Ports Authority (PPA) has also expressed plans to provide incentives to encourage stakeholders to take advantage of weekend port operations and the use of the Batangas Port. The PPA will continue to review proposals to divert operations to Batangas.
The Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) and the Bureau of Customs, meanwhile, will study how “double calling” of shipping lines in the ports of Manila, Batangas, and Subic may be stopped.
An executive committee to monitor developments on port decongestion will be set up, with the DOF, BOC, DTI, PPA, MMDA, LTFRB, and DOTC [Department of Transportation and Communications] as members. Moving forward, the executive committee will outline strategies to address the issue in the long-term, bearing in mind the economic interests of the Filipino people. (DOF/RJB/SDL/PIA-NCR)
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