Solons reject 2,000% hike in port fees
COMMITTEE on Public Services Chairperson Senator Grace Poe echoed the concern of port users and other shipping industry stakeholders on the impending effects of increased port fees and charges to be imposed by the Philippine Ports Authority (PPA).
While recognizing the government body’s efforts in addressing port congestion and modernizing its monitoring systems, Poe raised port users’ complaints that the PPA’s administrative orders would supposedly drive up fees and charges and in effect, domestic logistics costs.
“High shipping rates also worsen inflation,” Poe pointed out as she presided over the Senate panel’s inquiry on Wednesday, April 12, 2023.
“In creating reforms to our maritime trade, it’s time to regulate excessive charges, all while supporting the growth of our shipping industry,” she said in mixed English and Filipino.
Sen. Risa Hontiveros expressed similar concern over the implementation of several administrative orders by PPA that led to the increase in port charges by as much as “2,000%.”
Hontiveros, during the public inquiry of the Committee on Public Services on increased logistic costs in the Philippines, pointed out that any additional fees imposed on logistics companies will just be passed on to the consumers as it would lead to higher prices of goods and commodities.
“What are these (administrative orders) for when it would just bring additional burden instead of helping the Filipino people recover? I believe, together with other stakeholders, that this is not real progress,” Hontiveros said.
