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Sectoral groups involved in the cargo and trade industries see continuing global trade tensions as the biggest threat to operations and profitability this year
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United Port Users Confederation, Inc. president Ma. Flordeliza Leong said the country continues to grapple with such issues as capacity constraints and weak global demand
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The Supply Chain Management Association of the Philippines also sees further uncertainty on the global stage affecting, once again, oil prices and movement of cargo especially via sea
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The Association of Off-Dock Container Yard Operators of the Philippines anticipates the replacement of BOC’s processing system, which they hope will happen this year to improve trade facilitation
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The Alliance of Concerned Truck Owners and Organizations, meanwhile, emphasized the importance of improving policies – both at the national and local levels – to enable their sector to take advantage of trade growth
Sectoral groups involved in the cargo and trade industries see continuing global trade tensions as the biggest threat to operations and profitability this year.
United Port Users Confederation, Inc. president Ma. Flordeliza Leong said cargo outlook for this year will be highly influenced by external factors and developments in the global stage.
“These trends will highly influence the cargo outlook this year, considering that we continue to grapple with capacity constraints, weak global demand, especially in some sectors, volatility in tariff policies, rising operating costs, climate change and manufacturing slowdown,” said Leong, who is also the Philippine Exporters Confederation, Inc.’s vice president for advocacy, communications and special concerns.
Leong noted projections and studies, including that of the Philippine purchasing managers’ index, show weaker external demand compared with increasing new orders from the local market.
Additionally, the Philippine government has revised downward its economic growth targets for this year and 2027, while the Export Development Council (EDC) lowered its export target in 2025 to 2028 in response to recent challenges in global trade.
EDC’s target for 2025 is now $110.8 billion to $113.4 billion from the previous $163.6 billion.
READ: PH slashes export targets amid US, global trade turmoil
The Supply Chain Management Association of the Philippines also sees “further uncertainty on the global stage affecting, once again, oil prices and movement of cargo especially via sea.”
SCMAP also sees “jitters surrounding consumer confidence and inflation to probably impact local consumption, although we might be seeing the exaggerated impact of the recent holidays.”
The Port Users Confederation of the Philippines, Inc. (PUCP) is also bracing for headwinds and is counting on unity and cooperation among local stakeholders to rise above the challenges.
“We should be able to ride the waves regardless of their heights,” said PUCP president Rodolfo De Ocampo
PUCP chairperson and vice president for customs affairs Julita Lopez said they remain optimistic about seeing improvements in imports this year.
She added that even with challenges, the continued dialogue between the government and private sector, particularly through the Bureau of Customs’ (BOC) Customs Industry Consultative Council, keeps the door open for cooperation, conflict resolution, and driving progress.
Association of Off-Dock Container Yard Operators of the Philippines president Alexander Ong said he has a positive outlook for this year as they anticipate the replacement of the BOC’s processing system to improve trade facilitation.
Customs commissioner Ariel Nepomuceno has been pushing for automation to modernize and improve the services and operations of the agency. BOC is reviewing an unsolicited proposal for a new customs processing system (CPS) that will replace its Electronic-to-Mobile System, which stakeholders have long complained about for its regular bog downs.
READ: P742.5M proposal for new customs processing system under review
The proposed CPS is designed to streamline and automate customs procedures, ensuring efficient, transparent, and compliant trade facilitation.
The Alliance of Concerned Truck Owners and Organizations (ACTOO), meanwhile, emphasized the importance of improving policies – both at the national and local levels – to enable their sector to take advantage of trade growth.
ACTOO vice president Rina Papa said they see improvement in trade volumes, but in terms of truckers’ operations, “without reinforcing enabling policies both local and national, is another story.”
He said their group is intent on stepping up this year on policy and program advocacy for the trucking sector. Other priorities include strengthening partnerships with other sectors in the industry, and building alliances with sectors from related industries and agencies. — Roumina Pablo
