Bill mandating free transport of relief goods refiled

• A bill requiring carriers, freight forwarders, and logistics service providers to transport relief goods to calamity-stricken areas free of charge has been refiled in the Lower House

• House Bill No. 2135 will mandate those enterprises to transport relief goods and donated articles to calamity areas

• Certain shipping auxiliary costs, such as arrastre services, pilotage, and other port charges that are routinely passed on to customers, will be borne by the concerned arrastre, pilotage, and port authorities

• Bill author Florida Robes said this would “entice [people to donate] relief goods” and to ensure that adequate relief assistance reach individuals and communities most devastated by disasters

A bill mandating free transportation of relief goods by carriers, freight forwarders, and logistics service providers to calamity-stricken areas has been refiled in the Lower House.

House Bill (HB) No. 2135, authored by San Jose del Monte City Rep. Florida Robes, will mandate freight companies, freight forwarders, common and private carriers, and other logistics companies to provide free freight services in transporting relief goods and donated articles to the disaster areas.

In her explanatory note, Robes said this will entice donation of relief goods to those affected by disasters and to ensure that individuals and communities most devastated by calamities receive adequate assistance.

Robes filed similar bills in the 17^th and 18^th Congresses. Under the 18^th Congress, the measure passed third reading and was submitted to the Senate in 2019.

HB 2135 mandates the Logistics Cluster of the Office of Civil Defense to coordinate with the Philippine Postal Corp. and all freight companies, common carriers, private carriers, freight forwarders, and other logistics service providers for the provision of free freight services to duly registered relief organizations that need to transport emergency relief goods and donated articles to areas declared under a state of calamity by the President or the local government unit concerned.

The aim is to deliver immediate relief to victims of natural or man-made disasters when government resources are not available or are insufficient to address the needs of the emergency.

The common carriers, freight forwarders, and other similar entities are mandated to deliver goods and services for free to areas where they operate.

When the area is not accessible, relief goods will be sent or diverted to the nearest LGU, which will consign the goods to the local chief executive concerned, according to the proposed legislation.

Certain shipping auxiliary costs, such as fees for arrastre services, pilotage, and other port charges that are routinely passed on to customers, will be borne by the concerned arrastre, pilotage, and port authorities.

Container van costs, turnaround time, and volume of cargo being shipped free of charge will be considered to minimize the loss of profits for the private sector, the bill stated.

The Law and Order Cluster of the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council will be responsible for providing security and traffic management assistance to the Response Cluster’s operations to facilitate the speedy movement of people, goods, and equipment to the affected population and responding agencies.

The release of donated relief goods and articles intended for distribution in areas under a state of calamity should be done in accordance with existing rules and procedures of responsible government agencies and LGUs, and with proper verification of the receiver and in consideration of the prevailing policies of the logistics service providers.

The OCD and the Department of Transportation through its attached agencies Civil Aeronautics Board, Maritime Industry Authority, and Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board, will implement the proposed measure, as well as monitor and oversee compliance of common and private carriers, freight forwarders, and other logistics services providers.

Even without a law, though, transport and logistics service providers have been assisting in relief operations in their own ways. Various industry organizations and companies have conducted relief assistance and donation drives for those affected by disasters.

Shipping lines were tapped by government in 2013 to carry relief goods to areas devastated by Super Typhoon Yolanda. Several domestic shipping lines also provided free pier-to-pier transport of relief goods for families affected by the onslaught of Typhoon Odette in 2021.

HB 2135 has been referred to the House Committee on Disaster Resilience.