Gov’t starts clearing congested Port of Manila

MANILA, Philippines — After importers bewailed the slow processing time at the Manila International Container Terminal and the Manila South Harbor, it turned out that the congestion at the Port of Manila was mainly due to importers who had not withdrawn their cargo.

Faster withdrawals came after the Philippine Ports Authority (PPA), the Department of Finance, the Department of Agriculture, the Department Trade and Industry and the Bureau of Customs issued an April 2 Joint Administrative Order No. 20-01, outlining faster processing and penalties for overstaying containers.

PPA general manager Jay Santiago said the port’s optimal capacity should go down to 60-70 percent after the Holy Week.

—MIGUEL R. CAMUS