Advocates of port charges rollback accused of deluding government

A nationwide organization of port cargo handling operators expressed concern yesterday that the proponents of a rollback in port charges may be deluding the government and the people into supporting their plan by feeding them the wrong information; and are even using the name of President Arroyo to railroad approval of tariff cuts.

The Philippine Chamber of Arrastre and Stevedoring Operators said it is unthinkable that the President, an economist herself, would order a rollback in cargo handling rates without thoroughly studying the entire issue, getting feedback from other experts and disregarding those who will be affected by such a move.

Benjamin C. Akol, president of the arrastre and stevedoring operators, said it is shocking to read newspaper reports that Rep. Willie Buyson Villarama, who prides himself as the chief of staff of Arroyo when she was vice president, reminded the President that "she had promised to cut port cargo handling fees by at least 20 percent effective on Labor Day."

Arrastre and stevedoring operators were also appalled to learn that the Bulacan congressman, who is deemed knowledgeable of the work regimen and way of thinking of the President as her one-time chief of staff, would preempt the Chief Executive and the other officials she directed to conduct a review of port handling charges.

Villarama dragged the name of Presidential Adviser on the creation of one million jobs Luis Lorenzo Jr. into the issue and claimed Lorenzo even announced the President’s decision to roll back cargo handling fees during the fourth Mindanao Food Conference in Cagayan de Oro City last April. Akol wrote Lorenzo himself on April 17 to seek a clarification on "whether you made (such a) pronouncement, attributed to you in press reports, that the President directed a 20 percent rollback in port cargo handling rates."

Lourdes Ilustre, chief of staff of Lorenzo, responded on behalf of the Malacañang official and issued a letter of clarification to the chamber of arrastre and stevedoring operators.