TABS protesters bent on work holiday starting March 7

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ID-100161236A number of Manila port stakeholders that have banded together against the implementation of the Terminal Appointment Booking System (TABS) said they will push through with their planned protest action starting March 7.

The Coalition of Customs Brokers Association, Port Truckers, Stakeholders Kontra TABS said they will convene in front of the Department of Public Works and Highways office on Bonifacio Drive in Port Area, Manila, at 7 a.m.

The group, which includes the Aduana Business Club, Inc., Philippine Society of Filipino Customs Brokers, Inc., Customs Brokers Council of the Philippines, and Professional Customs Brokers Association of the Philippines, Inc, had earlier advocated for a one-week work stoppage.

READ: PCCI, PhilExport join growing protest against online container booking system

The group has requested member customs brokers and truckers to refrain from making appointments and lodging entries and deliveries through TABS.

Confederation of Truckers Association of the Philippines (CTAP) vice president for external affairs Pepito Dino told PortCalls in a text message CTAP is in “sympathy with brokers in (their) protest.” He clarified the association is not against TABS per se, just its “stiff penalties and high rates.”

He said CTAP is not forcing its members to join the rally. “If they want to join, they are free to join.”

But CTAP director Ruperto Bayocot pointed out, if customs brokers do not file or process entries then it’s “automatic (that) no containers will be loaded in our trucks.”

TABS is an electronic platform for booking containers at Manila South Harbor and Manila International Container Terminal (MICT) that is specifically developed to minimize road traffic and prevent container build-ups. The Manila port operators said TABS will ensure a more organized flow of containerized cargoes in and out of the terminals while providing real-time information to clients on container status.

Penalties scheme moved to Apr 1

TABS will be strictly implemented on March 16, with the truck ban exemption and the points system (booking fees only) taking effect on that day.

Points with equivalent monetary value will be used to book slots. One point is equivalent to P1; the number of points needed will depend on the zone to be booked. Transaction fees are P300 and P1,000 in the medium- and high-demand zones, respectively.

An advance deposit/maintaining balance of P6,500 per company is needed to be able to transact using the TABS.

Penalty for late arrivals (trucks that come two hours after their booked slot) is P1,625. No shows, or trucks that arrive three hours or more after their appointment, will be fined P3,251.

The date for implementation of the penalties scheme has, however, been changed to April 1, 2016 to “give all TABS users ample time to adjust and familiarise themselves with the guidelines,” according to an advisory from MICT.

Previously the penalties scheme was also set to take effect on March 16.

“The change in the penalty application date is a result of consultations held with the likes of the Port Users Confederation, ACTOO (Alliance of Concerned Truck Owners and Organizations), HATAW (Haulers and Truckers Association), AISL (Association of International Shipping Lines), the major logistics providers Inland, Transworld, Yusen, Nippon Express, IHTC (Interpacific Highway Transport Corp), and majority of the cargo owners and multinationals who have requested for this to ensure as well that we limit the effects of the Easter Holidays,” said Lozano.

Trucks with scheduled deliveries and pick-ups at Manila’s two international terminals under the TABS are exempt from the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) truck ban through MMDA Memorandum Circular No. 06-2016.

READ: Implementing rules out for truck ban exemption of TABS users

The new regulation covers only cargo and container trucks with or without containers bound for or coming out of Asian Terminals Inc. (Manila South Harbor) or MICT.

“Two hours before the truck’s scheduled TABS booking and two hours after the truck’s egress from the port, covered trucks are exempted from morning truck ban hours (6am to 10am) on all truck routes,” MC 06-2016 stated.

For the evening truck ban (5 p.m. to 10 p.m.), two-and-a-half hours before the scheduled TABS booking and two-and-a-half hours after exit from the port are given as exemption on all truck routes.

A flyer circulated by the TABS protesters said the system has no legal basis; has no guidelines for implementation; restrains the flow of trade; and curtails trucking and business opportunities. The group also claims the fees and penalties to be imposed under the system will inflate costs for stakeholders and will only line the pockets of port operators.

The coalition is calling for the abolition of the system, which has been implemented since October last year.

Cabinet Secretary Jose Rene Almendras had earlier countered claims the system hampers trade flow, pointing out that because of the truck ban exemption for TABS users, TABS will increase the window of time for trucks to ply roads, leading to more capacity.

READ: PH Cabinet official defends online container booking system

He said the imposition of fees and penalties is meant to induce compliance with the system and avoid abuse.

As for the planned work holiday on March 7, Almendras said this is a business decision that each organization has to make. He noted though he has the support of big trucking and customs brokers’ organizations and other stakeholders regarding TABS implementation. – Roumina Pablo

Image courtesy of Iamnee at FreeDigitalPhotos.net