The new traffic measure went into effect despite strong opposition from business groups whose cargo haulers were rendered idle at North Harbor. PHOTO BY NIÑO JESUS ORBETA
The truckers’ group that ceased operations to protest the city of Manila’s extended truck ban hours agreed to resume operations for at least three days. After the three days, they will meet anew with Manila Mayor Joseph Estrada to discuss the truck ban. Estrada stood firm on the city’s decision to implement the new measure to curb traffic.
Both government and private businesses face mounting losses as no goods are released from the port. From the estimated 2150 containers a day transported out of the port of Manila, virtually none had left the facility by Tuesday.
The Bureau of Customs said on Monday collections at the MICP dropped by 27 percent from a daily average of P360 million to P262.8 million, while those at the POM fell by 47 percent from a daily average of P253 million to P134.4 million.
The Philippine Economic Zone Authority (Peza) and the Federation of Philippine Industries (FPI) warned Wednesday that the expanded daytime truck ban being implemented in Manila will only cripple businesses and likely result in a cut in the growth of exports and production, job losses and potential company closures should the scheme be continued.
On the sidelines of the Arangkada Forum on Wednesday, Peza Director General Lilia de Lima stressed that apart from exports, the new truck ban scheme might prompt companies, particularly those operating within the economic zones, to reduce production and reduce their people.
“I am very worried because if this goes on for another three days, it will be very bad, which could lead to suspension of work. If I’m a company that produces [items that will fill up] 200 trucks a day, where will I stock them? The best that I can do then is to lessen production,” De Lima said.
Manila’s new truck ban bans eight wheelers and vehicles with a gross weight of above 4,500 kilos from plying Manila’s streets between 5 a.m. and 9 p.m. A temporary concession, however, was offered by the Manila city government, allowing trucks to ply streets between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. within the next six to eight months.
Most affected are the ecozones within the Calabarzon area, which comprises about 80 percent of the total exports registered under Peza. Total exports coming out from this region alone stood at $77 million a day from some 800 companies that employ more than 200,000 workers. Various groups have been urging that more shipments go through the Batangas and Subic ports to help alleviate traffic within the Manila area.
With report by Amy Remo, Michelle V. Remo
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