MARINA-7 orders shipping firms to adjust price rates

CEBU, Philippines - Due to the continuing oil price rollbacks, maritime authorities have reminded shipping companies to provide just and equitable passenger and cargo rates.

Jose Cabatingan III, head of Franchising and Maritime Legal Affairs Section of Maritime Industry Authority-7, said shipping companies and operators are directed to adjust their price rates in view of the series of rollbacks in the prices of petroleum products in the local and global markets.

“Since oil prices have been falling, there is an advisory enjoining shipping companies and operators to adjust their passenger and cargo rates,” said Cabatingan.

According to Cabatingan, there is a certain provision under Republic Act No. 9295, in which ship owners are authorized to fix their own price rates.

Section 8 of RA No. 9295 stipulates that qualified domestic shipping operators are authorized to establish their own domestic shipping rates, provided that effective competition is fostered and public interest is served.

“We enforce this advisory to them and it is for them to implement their own adjustment of passenger and cargo rates, this is also to protect and safeguard the interests of the passengers and cargo customers by ensuring that the rates being charged remain just and equitable,“ Cabatingan explained.

Cabatingan said the advisory was published December 29 last year and was disseminated early this month.

Part of the advisory directs passenger and cargo ships to submit copies of their rate adjustment to MARINA office.

“Sa pagkakaron, wala pa man mi kadawat sa mga shipping lines og mga copies sa ilang rate adjustment,” the MARINA-7 official said.  (FREEMAN)