Port congestion, traffic: Palace pleads for more patience

INQUIRER FILE PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines – The two-week target to decongest the Port of Manila had already passed but heavy traffic continues to plague the city, prompting Malacañang to ask the public for more patience.

“We’re asking the public for understanding,” presidential spokesperson Edwin Lacierda said in a press briefing.

He said Task Force Pantalan, the inter-agency body formed to address the port congestion and the resulting traffic problem, remains in place, with cargo containers continuing to go in and out of the ports.

More than two weeks ago, the Philippine government announced the imposition of fees against “overstaying cargo,” which has caused the congestion of the port. Cabinet Secretary Rene Almendras asked the people for patience as traffic is expected to worsen during the said weeks.

However, traffic has yet to ease considerably.

But Lacierda said the solution is in place, stressing that it will address the “greater problem” of price inflation.

“In the short term we are asking patience,” he said.

Lacierda said he will have to check with the task force and the Philippine Ports Authority on the status and updates of the operation.

He promised to release statistics on the results of the decongestion, including the number of containers that were successfully pulled out of the port.

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