PPA warns Manila ports may shut down due to cargo congestion

The Philippine Ports Authority (PPA) warned that Manila ports may shut down if cargo owners do not expedite the withdrawal of cleared and overstaying cargoes.

Yard utilization at Manila's international ports has reached nearly 100 percent capacity due to slow container pull-outs following the enhanced community quarantine.

To address the congestion, the Department of Transportation (DOTr), Bureau of Customs, Department of Trade and Industry, and Department of Agriculture are planning to declare overstaying foreign shipments at the Manila International Container Terminal (MICT) as abandoned and for seizure.

Under the proposed joint memorandum circular, consignees will be given five days to remove cargo that have been at the MICT for more than 30 days, once the circular becomes effective.

Consignees whose cargo have been at the port for less than 30 days, as well as those with incoming shipments, will be given 10 days to remove these from the MICT to avoid forfeiture.

PPA General Manager Jay Santiago stated that while it has been a practice for importers to leave cargo at the ports, this situation was aggravated by the enhanced community quarantine.

Transportation Secretary Arthur Tugade urged cargo owners to withdraw their overstaying containers to prevent port congestion and ensure a stable flow of commerce and goods.