As port issues linger DTI to keep an eye on price movements

CEBU, Philippines - In view of the ongoing port congestion problems in the country, the Department of Trade and Industry will be closely monitoring the movement of prices, especially now that the “ber” months have started.

DTI-7 regional director Asteria Caberte said that the agency is on “alert mode” although as of this writing, their office has not noticed or received reports on unusual price movements.

Caberte hopes that the port congestion issue will not take a toll on the consumers in general and that prices of basic commodities will remain stable towards the Christmas season.

She added that they will start monitoring the prices of Noche Buena items next month.

"We have just disseminated the new standard retail prices of candles," she said.

On the other hand, a group of truckers, importers and brokers announced that the ongoing port congestion problems will affect the import volume of food including fruits, poultry and other meat products.

Aduana Business Club President Mary Zapata pointed out that a drop in the number of imported goods is expected since many shipments from Singapore, China, and Hong Kong have yet to reach Manila ports. “They don’t want to come here simply because of the delay in anchorage and berthing."

Starting this September, importers intend to get hold of their cargoes ahead of the Christmas holidays. The latter part of the year is one of the busiest periods for businesses, in which the collection shortfall is expected to be offset.

From an average of 1,000 and 2,000 container vans per day, POM and MICP should be releasing 1,500 and 3,000 containers daily, respectively, during the “ber” months.

But Zapata said the Manila ports remain congested with empty container vans and that these ports can’t accommodate more shipments in time for the expected spike in cargo volume.

"There is no movement yet,” Zapata said as she told a different story on the transfer of the empty container vans to free up space at Manila ports.

The government, shipping lines, and port operators are thus advised to implement measures to help ease congestion.

“They (shipping lines and port operators) should respond to our services for the heavy fees the importers paid to them,” she said.

Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry  vice president for the Visayas Jose Ng said the unresolved port congestion, not only in Manila, but also in Cebu has already hurt traders and worse discouraged some businesses to continue doing business here.

Ng believes that possible price spikes are likely to happen especially when the demand of basic commodities will rise towards the second semester of this year. (FREEMAN)