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Some port truckers, customs brokers and importers are urging the industry to join the nationwide transport strike from Sept 28 to push for fixes to port congestion, among other concerns
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Truckers say they wait up to two weeks to return empty containers to depots and blame shipping lines for a lack of yard space
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Groups want a fuel subsidy for cargo truckers like the one given to jeepney drivers, citing high diesel prices, a driver shortage and harassment by enforcers
Some port truckers, customs brokers, importers and logistics companies are urging the industry to join the nationwide transport strike starting Monday, September 28, over worsening port congestion, delays in returning empty containers, and other concerns.
The groups made the decision to hold a “rest day” during a consultation forum on September 23 at Club Intramuros in Manila. The forum was led by Mary Zapata, president of the Confederation of Truckers Association of the Philippines, and Rey Soliman of the Practicing Customs Brokers Association of the Philippines Inc.
The Mananakay at Nagkaisang Terminal ng Transportasyon, a group of jeepney drivers and operators, earlier announced that it will hold a three-day nationwide strike from September 28 to 30. MANIBELA chairperson Mar Valbuena said the strike is a protest against soaring pump prices and the government’s lack of action.
Another transport group, the Pagkakaisa ng mga Samahan ng Tsuper at Operator Nationwide, had already announced a nationwide strike on September 29 and 30. PISTON is protesting high fuel prices, low wages and the rising cost of basic goods and services.
Malacañang said raising public transport fares is still a last resort as the government considers other ways to help drivers, operators and commuters cope with higher fuel prices.
Forum participants said port congestion is getting worse, and returning empty containers is one of their biggest problems. Truckers said they sometimes wait up to two weeks before a depot accepts an empty box.
READ: BOC targets signing of JAO addressing port congestion within September
They blamed shipping lines for not having enough space to store their containers as well arbitrary collection of detention fee at depots. When empties can’t be returned, trucks and chassis stay tied up and can’t be used for new bookings.
“Worse than the pandemic”
Zapata said truckers are having a harder time now than they did during the COVID-19 pandemic.
During the pandemic, she said, shipments were easy to process, and authorities even escorted cargo trucks. There was no truck ban, and fuel cost only about P30 to P40 per liter.
Today, she said, truckers are dealing with congested ports, trouble returning empty containers, sky high fuel prices and harassment from traffic enforcers.
Zapata said truckers have become a “milking cow” for enforcers. Trucks are often stopped for supposedly being overloaded, and drivers are made to pay from P500 per stop.
Truck driver shortage deepens
The industry is also running short of cargo truck drivers. Participants said drivers are being hired for jobs overseas, and some European companies are recruiting truck drivers in Manila.
Because of these pressures, the groups said cargo truckers should get a fuel subsidy like the one given to jeepney drivers. They said the subsidy is needed if fuel prices can’t be brought down.
READ: Manila’s Cargo Crisis — When Sea and Air Feel the Squeeze
