The chief of the state-run port body claimed on Wednesday that Manila’s port logjam, which affected the whole country negatively last year, has now been solved.
Philippine Ports Authority (PPA) General Manager Juan C. Sta. Ana said the fruits of the joint efforts of the government and the private sector in eradicating the port congestion in the capital’s sea terminals are now evident. Yard utilization, he said, is at 61 percent as of Wednesday, half of the 121-percent utilization posted exactly a year ago.
“Currently, our ports have obviously improved, even compared to its precongestion level in February of last year,” he said. “By the end of this week, the yard-utilization level shall further decline.”
He admitted, however, that the country still lacks the needed road infrastructure to further spur economic growth and ease traffic in Manila.
“Regarding roads, access of trucks to and from the ports has, likewise, been reduced significantly, although not perfectly free flowing as all of us hoped,” Sta. Ana said.
He also appealed to stakeholders for them to continue their efforts in keeping the utilization level of the ports at about 70 percent, or the optimal range.
“After we have all worked together and discussed how to resolve and decongest our ports from exactly six months ago, I appeal to all of you to continue working together to reach stable market prices of goods and allow modest profit margins for the rest of the businesses,” the port chief said.
He added: “This is an opportune time to follow through on the actions and measures undertaken by different groups, organizations and departments or bureaus and to discuss interest with stakeholders who are members of different chambers, confederations, associations, servicing and benefitting from our ports.”
The port congestion caused the prices of goods and services to spike last year.