Several government agencies agreed to release a joint administrative order to regulate fees and charges of shipping lines, port operators, truckers and other users to stabilize operating costs and improve logistics efficiencies.
The Trade, Finance and Transportation Departments, Bureau of Customs, Bureau of Internal Revenue, Maritime Industry Authority, Philippine Ports Authority and the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority will implement the order that is expected by mid-February after a series of public hearings.
A joint memorandum circular between the Customs and the PPA will also be issued to establish new rules to bring the utilization rate of container depots in Manila to the normal level of 70 percent.
Under the order, Customs will regulate and monitor all fees concerning empty container returns and charges of shipping lines. Shipping lines will also be banned from charging fees in the Philippines. Instead, all charges must be included in their freight and other origin charges.