Isko: Queuing system in Manila ports flawed

MANILA – The Manila city government continues to blame the Philippine Ports Authority for not allowing trucks to park in port areas, forcing them to queue on city streets and cause traffic. Speaking to ANC Headstart, Manila Vice Mayor Isko Moreno said there are nine ports in Manila with about 300 hectares of potential parking space. Moreno said the Bureau of Customs has a thousand seized containers taking up space in port areas that could otherwise be used for truck parking. He said that in Cebu, trucks are allowed to park in port areas, eliminating traffic congestion along city streets. THE PPA, meanwhile, has called for extended daily working hours at the BOC to catch up on cargo processing. The agency also wants night operations for private warehouses so container trucks can deliver goods during the evening. The PPA also wants trucking by appointment wherein only trucks holding contracts to pick up and drop off containers will be allowed to enter ports. It also asked trucking groups to penalize members who do not observe traffic rules. Last week's "truck holiday" created a backlog in several Manila ports. - ANC