Andrea Taguines, ABS-CBN News

MANILA – More than 700 shipping containers filled with imported rice continue to languish at Manila ports even after securing customs clearance, said the Philippine Ports Authority (PPA) on Friday.

According to PPA General Manager Jay Santiago, 736 overstaying containers were recorded as of the end of November. He said these have been held at the Manila International Container Terminal and Manila South Harbour Port for an average of 45 to 60 days.

“We report that to the Department of Agriculture so they can validate and check that doon sa mga inaprubahan nilang import or anticipated inventory nila. We report that to the Bureau of Customs also. These are beyond 30 days already, they have to dispose however way they want it,” he said during the Kapihan sa Pantalan forum in Manila.

Santiago said it is possible that consignees intentionally stock rice shipments at the port to save up on storage.

“It’s cheaper to keep it inside the port than bring it out and pay for warehousing costs. Based sa computation namin if you leave it sa port, especially within the allowable period, you’re only paying like P600 a day. Samantalang pag sa labas ka, you’re paying about P3,000 to P5,000 a day,” he said.

“In good faith, yun yung sa tingin naming rason kung bakit. Let’s not even talk about yung malice na hoarding or para ma-affect yung market price,” he added.

The PPA has earlier said that it is looking at doubling the penalty for overstaying containers, or those that exceed 30 days following customs clearance, from around P5,000 to P10,000.

But Santiago said this would still have to undergo public consultation.

“Kailangan engaged lahat ng stakeholders dito so we’re first computing kung ano ba yung market tolerance doon sa penalty para wala namang pushback. But at the same time, medyo masakit din doon sa mga hindi sumusunod,” he said.

“E mahirap mag-public consultation kapag papasok ng pasko kasi siyempre yung mag-iimpose ka ng penalty, mainit lahat ng ulo ng tao dyan… We anticipate that that will happen next year,” added Santiago.

The issue of delays in the release of rice shipments also broke out in September, amid high prices of the commodity in the market.

Published Date: December 6, 2024