The Philippine Ports Authority (PPA) has ordered Manila port operators to prioritize release of food shipments to prevent food prices from rising.
PPA, in a statement, explained the move will “somehow address the looming food shortage” in Metro Manila, as the port authority and port operators “scramble to de-clog the ports (at) the soonest time possible.”
The order covers only food shipments in containers cleared by the Bureau of Customs.
Initial estimates show a fourth of containers currently at the two Manila ports contain food items; about a fifth of static cargoes in Hong Kong, Taiwan, and Singapore are food products as well, according to PPA.
PPA general manager Juan Sta. Ana noted that some food products still at Manila ports are about to expire due to delivery delays resulting from congestion.
“The marching order of the Cabinet Cluster on Port Congestion is to prioritize food items and shipments (on a first-in-first-out basis) and address food shortage as well as the inflation effect of the congestion,” Sta. Ana said.
He added that port congestion continues to ease, but that “we cannot wait until the condition normalizes before delivering these food items.”
Yard utilization at Manila ports is almost down to the desired level of 80%, according to PPA.
After food items, the agency said the release of boxes containing ingredients for other consumer items would be the next focus. – Roumina Pablo
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