MANILA, Philippines - It’s not just businesses, truckers and other motorists who are benefiting from improved traffic flow along the major thoroughfares of Manila, but also the dockworkers of the country’s major ports, all crediting the Manila city government’s lifting of its expanded truck ban.
Roberto Ramon Oca III, president of the Associated Workers Union – PTGWO (AWU), hailed the indefinite lifting of the Manila truck ban, saying it is a welcome development for its union members as this had been instrumental in improving production at the Manila South Harbor managed by Asian Terminals Inc.
Being at the frontline of this important trade gateway, AWU’s members comprised of seasoned equipment operators, stevedores and port personnel saw first-hand the detrimental impact of the truck ban.
At the peak of the ban, Oca noted that the productivity and efficiency of the port suffered due to higher yard utilization which resulted in greater running time for port equipment and more burden on the workforce.
Oca said that the truck ban also curtailed livelihood opportunities for its members, who are mostly residents of Manila and nearby provinces. “The port could have handled more cargoes had it not been for the truck ban. This could have created more jobs and supported more families,” he said.
Since the lifting of the ban, Oca said that port operations have significantly improved. More third-party trucks are now able to enter and exit the ports freely for their import and export requirements. With smoother and organized truck flow, the AWU president said that truckers are less prone to exploitation on roads outside the ports, unlike previous conditions.
“The dedication of our dockworkers is beyond reproach. We have the best in the industry. Come rain or shine, without fear or favor, we are proud to render these important services to the country’s port community,” Oca said.
“Ultimately, all of us benefit from healthy ports which guarantee a seamless supply- chain. We thus hope that the lifting of the truck ban is made long-term. We also hope that future government actions be studied carefully, not to the detriment of dockworkers and the rest of the economy,” Oca added.