Short, long-term solutions to port congestion being studied: BOC assures

Short-term solutions such as temporary container yards and more frequent sweeper vessels, while long-term solutions such as legislation, are being looked at by the government to address issues on port and container yard congestion, according to the Bureau of Customs (BOC).

These short and long-term solutions are part of ongoing discussions led by Cabinet Secretary Benhur Abalos, according to BOC deputy chief of staff Atty. Chris Noel Bendijo in a presentation during BOC’s 7th Customs Industry Consultative and Advisory Council (CICAC) general assembly and 13th Central CICAC meeting on November 6.

Bendijo noted that BOC has joined various meetings called for by Abalos since October regarding industry issues. Stakeholders have been raising concerns on congestion at Manila ports and the continued difficulty in the return of empty containers.

Short term solutions raised during the discussions include strengthening of inland terminals, and lifting of truck bans, the truck anti-overloading policy, and pass-through fees imposed by local government agencies on truckers.

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