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The Bureau of Customs called for “constructive engagement and prudent action” as it acknowledges concerns raised by stakeholders regarding empty container congestion and depot capacity constraints
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BOC said it has been in constant discussions and coordination with concerned stakeholders and industry partners to better understand their challenges and identify practical solutions
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BOC also urges all parties concerned to engage in effective dialogue through their respective local Customs Industry Consultative and Advisory Councils and regular stakeholder meeting
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The statement comes as several port and trucking groups have called for a “rest day” and “trucking holiday” to protest unresolved operational and regulatory problems in the country’s port and logistics sector
The Bureau of Customs (BOC) called for “constructive engagement and prudent action” as it acknowledges concerns raised by stakeholders regarding empty container congestion and depot capacity constraints.
BOC in a statement on October 5 said it also recognizes the operational challenges that these concerns pose to truckers, customs brokers, importers, and exporters.
“BOC wishes to emphasize that it has been in constant discussions and coordination with concerned stakeholders and industry partners to better understand these challenges and identify practical measures to address them,” the customs bureau said.
The statement comes as several port and trucking groups have called for a “rest day” and “trucking holiday” to protest unresolved operational and regulatory problems in the country’s port and logistics sector.
READ: Port groups plan “rest day” Oct 5, trucking holiday Oct 6
While fully respecting the right of stakeholders to express their views and advocate for solutions, BOC said it “appeals for calm, constructive engagement and prudent action.”
“Any disruption to port operations may further aggravate existing challenges, affecting cargo movement, supply chains, and the broader trading community,” it added.
MICT fully operational
Meanwhile, the Manila International Container Terminal (MICT), in an advisory on October 5, said it remains fully operational with all regular terminal activities continuing as scheduled.
“We remain committed to ensuring seamless support for customer requirements and maintaining continuity across terminal operations. Customers are encouraged to proceed with their planned container pull-outs and other scheduled terminal transactions,” MICT said.
BOC likewise urged all parties concerned to engage in effective dialogue through their respective local Customs Industry Consultative and Advisory Councils (CICACs) and regular stakeholder meetings.
CICAC is BOC’s consultative body with industry groups to enlist their support and active participation in advancing the reform agenda of the bureau. It also aims to help in addressing existing and potential issues related to Customs and industry matters. There is a central CICAC and CICAC in every BOC collection district.
READ: BOC recognizes 25 member organizations of advisory council
“Through open communication, cooperation, and constructive engagement, stakeholders can work together toward practical solutions while ensuring the uninterrupted operation of ports and the unhampered flow of trade and commerce,” BOC said.
Relatedly, BOC has been drafting a joint administrative order (JAO) to address port congestion, high logistics costs, and the long-standing problem of inefficient empty container returns.
READ: BOC targets signing of JAO addressing port congestion within September
The Practicing Customs Brokers Association of the Philippines Inc. (PCBAPI) is holding a “digital protest and rest day” starting October 5 to manifest its “discontentment” with foreign shipping lines, particularly regarding the issue on empty container return. As part of its protest, PCBAPI is urging customs brokers to voluntarily refrain from lodging and processing their imports with BOC.
The group also calls for foreign shipping lines to re-export their empty containers to decongest container yards, and supports one of the provisions in the proposed JAO wherein a shipping line will be penalized if the allocation in their container yard exceeds 30%.
The Confederation of Truckers Association of the Philippines, Aduana Business Club Inc., Inland Haulers and Truckers Association, and the Port Allied Logistics Group are also holding a trucking holiday starting October 6 to protest unresolved operational and regulatory problems they said are causing delays, raising costs, shrinking trucking capacity, and disrupting cargo movement.
Joining the trucking holiday is also voluntary for members.
The coalition said the protest “is a collective call for immediate dialogue, concrete solutions, and coordinated action from government agencies, international shipping lines, port operators, and local government units [LGUs].” The groups added that they remain open to talks with all concerned parties.
The coalition identified six issues:
- Empty container return. Too few empty container return slots are delaying trucks, raising operating costs, and adding to port congestion. The groups want shipping lines to provide enough return facilities and slots, with workable alternatives when designated facilities are unavailable.
- Unregulated destination charges. Destination, handling, documentation, and other charges imposed by international shipping lines must be transparent, properly documented, and reasonable. The groups are calling for immediate industry consultation “to prevent unjustified and unexpected costs.”
- Truck-trailer driver shortage. A shortage of qualified articulated-truck drivers is limiting cargo capacity and port operations. The groups urge the Land Transportation Office to address licensing, training, testing, and certification concerns so more drivers qualify, while keeping road-safety standards in place.
- Passenger accident management insurance (PAMI) coverage for tractor-heads. CTAP wants tractor-head trucks removed from the PAMI requirement for passenger vehicles, since tractor-heads carry cargo, not passengers. The groups urge the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board to review the rule.
- Truck bans and pass-through fees. More truck bans, route restrictions, and pass-through fees are adding costs and delays to port operations. The groups want a coordinated, uniform approach to truck rules along key port corridors. In 2023, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. issued Executive Order No. 41, which bars LGUs from collecting pass-through fees on national roads and other roads they did not fund.
- Terminal Appointment Booking System (TABS) at Manila international terminals. Recurring problems with TABS, including appointment availability, truck access, waiting times, and turnaround, must be fixed immediately to keep cargo moving.
Another trucking group, the Haulers and Truckers Association in the Watersouth Inc., has also encouraged its members to wear black and to put protest tarpaulins on their trucks from October 5-9 to show their unity and protest against recurring problems of the trucking industry.
Another trucking group, Alliance of Concerned Truck Owners and Organizations, is not participating in the boycott.
