The Senate on Monday approved on third and final reading a bill allowing foreign vessels to dock in multiple ports in the country, provided their cargoes are duly cleared by the Bureau of Customs for import or export.
The Senate Bill (SB) 2486 will amend Section 1009 of Presidential Decree 1464, otherwise known as the Tariff and Customs Code of 1978, which aims to introduce much-needed reforms in the shipping industry.
Senate President Franklin M. Drilon said the measure was part of efforts to sustain the country’s economic growth and prepare for the Asean economic integration slated to start this year.
”Improving our shipping industry and logistical capacity will position the country, in the global market and improve the flow of goods and services in the country, which will help businesses and ordinary Filipinos alike,” Drilon said.
“This is our first step in our effort to further unlock the shipping industry, let it grow and thrive, and make it as efficient as possible as we anticipate more trade, more economic activity and real inclusive growth for the Filipino people,” said Sen. Paolo Benigno Aquino III, sponsor of the bill.
Aquino said that the measures would answer the call of President Aquino and various stakeholders to enhance the country’s maritime transport industry. PNA
Under the proposed bill, the Filipino producers and entrepreneurs will have the chance to lower their production costs by allowing importers and exporters to co-load in foreign ships going in or out of the Philippine jurisdiction.
This, according to the bill, allows for the decongestion of the Port of Manila, thereby allowing for easier business transactions in the maritime transport industry.
Jelly F. Musico / Philippines News Agency
2 comments
Yeah!..why do businesses and importers down south have to wait for their cargoes to pass, and be released, in the congested and filthy port of Manila?..
On paper, this decentralization of ocean vessel access to Philippine ports will be very good to spur the economy. But what’s the reality? Most goods now come in 20-foot or 40-foot containers – how will we unload and load cargoes?. Most provincial piers have shallow seabed levels at the point where ships dock (pang-interisland vessel lang ang design ng mga pier) – so which vessel types or sizes can be accommodated?.