Low PH cargo volumes may temper effect of truck ban

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Some stakeholders interviewed by PortCalls said the low volume of cargoes even in what should now be the peak shipping season may soften any adverse effects caused by the truck ban.
Some stakeholders interviewed by PortCalls said the low volume of cargoes even in what should now be the peak shipping season may soften any adverse effects caused by the truck ban.
Some cargo industry stakeholders said the low volume of cargoes even in what should now be the peak shipping season may soften any adverse effects caused by the re-imposed truck ban on Metro Manila streets.

Philippine cargo industry stakeholders have mixed views whether the re-imposed Metro Manila truck ban, which began on Sept 15, will trigger another massive congestion in Manila ports.

Some stakeholders interviewed by PortCalls said the low volume of cargoes even in what should now be the peak shipping season may soften any adverse effects caused by the ban, re-adopted in preparation for the Asia-Pacific Economic Conference (APEC) meetings that will be held in Manila starting this week.

In text messages to PortCalls, Confederation of Truckers Association of the Philippines (CTAP) vice president for external affairs, Pepito Dino said “the effect will be felt more on the importers and exporters located in Calabarzon (Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Rizal and Quezon) area” while adding that the re-implemented ban will “cause long queuing of trucks getting out of the pier.”

However, he noted that “as of now, we cannot conclude that this will cause another port congestion since cargo movements are still low in both (Manila North and South Harbor) ports.”

CTAP director Alberto Suansing also doubts if there will be another episode of massive port congestion as “there is lower volume now in the ports.”

Port Users Confederation director Dominador De Guzman, in a text message to PortCalls, agreed that volume has yet to pick up but that the re-imposed ban “will greatly affect movement of cargoes since the bulk of shipments are going to the South (Philippine Economic Zone Authority zone) plus the exports.”

CTAP’s Dino pointed out that since this is also not the first time a truck ban is being implemented, “importers have an idea what to expect and I guess they already know what to do in order for them to continue their operations.”

In February 2014, the Manila city government imposed a daytime truck ban. The ban was eventually temporarily lifted in September, but by then the policy had caused a massive logjam in Manila ports, delaying deliveries, and constricting supply and jacking up prices of goods.

To help ease negative effects of the re-imposed truck ban, CTAP’s Dino said the truckers’ association will ask importers to open their warehouses and accept cargoes during night time. While noting this suggestion may not be amenable to all, Dino said “this is the best recourse to lessen the impact of the truck ban.”

CTAP also hopes to get an audience with Cabinet Secretary Jose Rene Almendras, who headed the previous Cabinet Cluster on Port Congestion, to raise their concerns on the re-implementation of the truck ban.

Nelson Mendoza, executive vice president of United Portusers Confederation (UPC), offered a more cautious view on the effects of the ban. He said he understands government’s initiatives to facilitate the APEC event, a source of pride for the Philippines. “However, imposing the truck ban again will definitely restrict movement of trade going to/from Manila ports. Considering the peak season is on hand, we will definitely feel a domino of adverse effects in terms of delivery schedules and truck productivity. This in effect will reduce port efficiency and effectively tip the balance of truck supply-demand.

“We have to remember that the last port congestion was brought about by an imposed truck ban. This being the case, we have to be very sensitive and cautious… that we heed the lessons of history while we endeavor to host the APEC.”

Philippine Exporters Confederation, Inc. president Sergio Ortiz-Luis, in a text message, said they had a briefing on the truck ban on September 14 but that “the (ban) details are not very clear yet, including areas covered.

“I hope that they (government) studied it well so we do not experience another port congestion especially these “ber” months”, Ortiz-Luis said, adding that “a day’s disruption poses potential huge backlog.”

Integrated North Haulers and Truckers Association (formerly Integrated North Harbor Truckers Association) president Teodorico Gervacio, in a phone interview with PortCalls on September 14, said he has also yet to see details of the ban but noted it will surely affect deliveries as they already see volume starting to pick up.

Truck booking system

Asked if the Terminal Booking Appointment System (TABS) that the two Manila terminal operators Asian Terminals, Inc (ATI) and International Container Terminal Services, Inc (ICTSI) will implement can help mitigate effects of the re-imposed truck ban, CTAP’s Dino said “TABS will be effective when cargo trucks move freely… Minimizing the movement (of trucks) will negate the effect of TABS.”

TABS is a web-based system in which customs brokers, importers, exporters, and cargo owners select the time slots for delivery and withdrawal of their cargoes. The project is seen to help solve the persistent problem of road congestion in Manila since truck deliveries and takeouts will be spread out the entire day, reducing queues and peaks, and minimizing the number of trucks on the road.

READ: Online truck booking on dry run at Manila port

UPC’s Mendoza said, “TABS’ effectiveness will only be tested when implemented, and it’s a question of everyone’s readiness and acceptance of the system by the industry… there is no doubt the (system) is impressive and seems flawless if effectively and accurately followed and utilized by truckers. I think a better information campaign is all we need for TABS to succeed, at sana walang (and hopefully there’s no) fee eventually from ATI and ICTSI.”

TABS will go online by October 1.

Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) Special Traffic Committee (STC) Resolution No. 3-2015 re-imposes truck ban hours from 6:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. and from 5:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. every day except Sundays and holidays, in all roads of Metro Manila except in the “Northern truck route where the truck allowable period shall still be 24 hours, subject to prohibited dates in APEC related events to be determined in later resolutions.”

The resolution exempts cargo trucks loaded with perishable and agricultural cargo.

The Northern truck route includes three options. First is from Pier Zone, travelling northward along R-10 right Capulong towards Tayuman, straight ahead towards Gov. Forbes, left Maria Clara, left Dimasalang, right Blumentritt, left A. Bonifacio and find their way to the north.

Option two is from Port of Manila straight to R-10, right at C-3, left at A. Bonifacio Ave. to NLEX and to destination.

Another option is to take Balintawak, straight to A. Bonifacio Ave., turn right at 5th Ave./C-3 (east side), right at 5th Street, left at 7th Ave., left at Baltazar St., right at 5th Ave./C-3 (west Side) then left at R-10 to destination.

MMDA-STC noted that the route from the north and travelling southward along A. Bonifacio Ave., right Blumentritt, left Aurora Blvd., right Dimasalang, right Aragon St., right Gov. Forbes towards Tayuman and Capulong, left R-10 to the Pier Zone is not passable at present due to the on-going Blumentritt Interceptor Project of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) scheduled to be completed by late 2015.

A total truck ban remains in effect on Epifanio Delos Santos Avenue (EDSA), and on the three central business districts, Ortigas, Makati, and Bonifacio Global City, from Monday to Sunday.

Trucks, at no time of day, are allowed to park on any major thoroughfare in Metro Manila.

MMDA-STC said the ban was re-imposed in preparation for APEC meetings and also because “there is no more port congestion in the country” and operations of Manila ports have been normal in the last few months.

The simultaneous infrastructure projects of DPWH in Metro Manila, including roads that traverse truck routes, “greatly affect the traffic in the metropolis most especially during peak hours, thus, there is an immediate need to suspend the 24-hours truck routes…,”MMDA-STC noted.

Meanwhile, the city of Parañaque also expanded its truck ban policy to 6 a.m. to 9 a.m. and from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m., Mondays to Fridays; trucks will be prohibited from traversing Sucat Road, East and West Service Roads of the South Luzon Expressway, Ninoy Aquino Avenue, Airport Road, and Quirino Avenue.

In a statement, Parañaque City mayor Edwin Olivarez said the ban covers 10-wheeler cargo trucks, trailer trucks, transit mixers and heavy vehicles transporting sand and other heavy materials. Exempt are six-wheeler trucks to “allow logistics and cargo forwarding companies to move their cargoes to and from the airports and their warehouses anytime.” – Roumina Pablo