The government and the stakeholders of the shipping industry on Friday signed a manifesto of support for the efficient utilization of Philippine ports.
The manifesto aims to prevent the imbalance of inbound and outbound containers borne by the unscrupulous practice of using the ports for prolonged storage of their containers until the withdrawal of goods.
Transportation Secretary Arthur Tugade witnessed the manifesto signing led by Bureau of Customs Commissioner Rey Leonardo Guerrero, Philippine Ports Authority general manager Jay Daniel Santiago, International Container Terminal Services Inc. senior vice president Christian Gonzales, Asian Terminals Inc. senior vice president Sean Perez and Association of International Shipping Lines president Patrick Ronas.
“I give my full commitment and full happiness in witnessing the manifesto. Signing this manifesto is one thing, doing and implementing it is another, and going beyond it will equally spell good business relationships within the country… This is not for show. This is for real,” Tugade said.
Under the manifesto, the PPA will publish a notice in a newspaper of general circulation directing all cargo owners, shippers, consignees, logistics operators, and customs brokers to withdraw cleared containers currently being stored at ports within 15 days from the date of publication. Failure to comply will lead to the transfer of containers to designated inland container depots by ATI and ICTSI at the expense of the concerned parties.
Cleared containers by the BoC that were not removed from the port within 30 days will also be transferred by ATI and ICTSI to their respective inland container depots.
Aside from the removal of overstaying containers, ATI and ICTSI will regularly provide the government with information on the health of their respective ports, and information on containers that have stayed at the port for at least 30 days from arrival.
“Today is a milestone as all stakeholders from the private sector and the government have come together to implement a sustainable solution to face the problems in our ports,” Santiago said.