Higher fines for larger overstaying cargo in Manila ports—Palace

INQUIRER FILE PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines—The larger the container, the higher the fine. That is the new policy of the government when it comes to “overstaying” containers at the Port of Manila and nearby ports.

Presidential Spokesperson Edwin Lacierda on Wednesday said the Philippine Ports Authority (PPA) issued Memorandum Circular no. 12 on September 16 enumerating the new storage rates for overstaying containers or those that have been cleared and issued gate passes for transfer but are left at the ports for more than 10 days.

The new rates, applicable only for the Manila International Container Terminal, and the ports of South Harbor, Batangas and Subic, are as follows:

• 20-footer container: P5,000
• 35-footer container: P8,750
• 40-footer container: P10,000
• 45-footer container: P11,250

The memorandum circular will be effective 15 days after its publication in a newspaper of general circulation.

Earlier, Cabinet Secretary Rene Almendras announced that starting October 1, importers will be fined P5,000 per day for each overstaying container.

The new policy seeks to address the port congestion, which had also affected price inflation and traffic in the surrounding areas.

Almendras said the congestion was in part caused by those who leave their containers at the port because it was cheaper than renting out a warehouse.

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