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The United Portusers Confederation of the Philippines supports government’s declaration of a national energy emergency and the new law allowing the President to suspend fuel excise taxes
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The group said measures appear to support stabilizing transport and supply chain expenses
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UPC president Ma. Flordeliza Leong called fuel the single most critical cost driver in port operations and logistics
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Port industry faces rising bunker fuel prices, surcharges, congestion costs
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UPC urges coordination to ensure relief reaches shippers, consumers
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It calls for transparency in monitoring cost pass-through
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It also recommends complementary reforms on efficiency and alternative energy
The United Portusers Confederation of the Philippines (UCP) supports government’s declaration of a national energy emergency and the new law allowing the President to suspend fuel excise taxes.
The group said these measures are crucial for a logistics sector that is already struggling with rising bunker fuel prices, shipping surcharges, and congestion-related costs.
“Fuel is the single most critical cost driver in port operations and logistics. When oil prices spike, the impact cascades immediately—from trucking and shipping lines to warehousing and last-mile delivery,” said UPC president Ma. Flordeliza Leong in a statement.
“The declaration of an energy emergency and the flexibility to adjust oil taxes are timely lifelines that can temper cost surges and prevent further disruption across the supply chain,” she said.
The confederation, which represents nine business and logistics organizations spanning exporters, importers, customs brokers, trucking companies, freight forwarders, and logistics service providers, said its members have been under sustained financial pressure as geopolitical tensions in the Middle East push energy costs higher.
“These measures send a strong signal that government is prepared to act decisively to cushion the economy. Temporarily easing oil taxes during periods of extreme volatility can immediately lower transport and handling costs, helping keep Philippine goods competitive in global markets,” Leong said.
The group called on economic managers, energy agencies, and industry stakeholders to work in close coordination to ensure that relief measures are calibrated to actual market conditions, with implementing guidelines issued without delay. Leong also issued a direct call for pricing accountability.
“We recommend clear transparent monitoring to ensure savings are passed through to shippers and consumers,” she said.
UPC also urged complementary measures to maximize the benefits of the policy, including the adoption of fuel-efficient and alternative-energy fleets for port operations, rationalization of port and shipping surcharges, improved traffic management and turnaround times to reduce fuel consumption, and enhanced data sharing across agencies.
The group emphasized that stabilizing logistics costs is critical not only for exporters and importers but also for consumers.
“When transport costs rise, prices on store shelves follow. These measures help contain inflationary pressures and support jobs across the trade ecosystem,” Leong concluded.
