Customs revenue down on first day of truck ban

Rappler.com

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The Manila Int'l Container Port generated only P262.8M, down from the daily average of P360M; the Port of Manila, P134.4M from a daily average of P253M

BANNED. Manila traffic enforcers tow a truck on the first day of the city's daytime truck ban. Photo by Jose Del/Rappler

MANILA, Philippines – The Bureau of Customs reported a drop in revenue the first day the city of Manila’s daytime truck ban was implemented.

From a daily average of almost P360 million, the Manila International Container Port (MICP) generated only P262.8 million on Monday, February 24. The Port of Manila (POM), meanwhile, reported only P134.4 million in revenue from a daily average of P253 million, according to a statement from the Customs Bureau on Tuesday, February 25.

According to initial reports, no container vans exited the Port of Manila on February 24. Usually, around 1,200 container vans go out of the port daily, based on data from February 1 to 21 this year.

MICP, meanwhile, released only 4 container vans on Monday, from a daily average of 2,150.

The city of Manila, where the two ports are located, implemented starting February 24 a daytime ban on trucks and other vehicles with gross weights above 4,500 kilograms. Those carrying perishables, petroleum products, and trucks involved in government projects, however, are exempted from the ban.

Truck operators can also ask for exemptions from the city government. Trucks are banned from entering and traversing the city from 5 am to 9 pm, with a window period from 10 am to 3 pm.

The window period, however, will only be in place for 6 months, so ports in neighboring provinces such as Subic and Batangas will have time to adjust to an increase of activity in their harbors.

Truck owners and operators have opposed the ban, saying it will affect business. They also expressed dismay over the window period, saying it was not enough to do business well.

Customs Commissioner John Sevilla said in the statement that they are “ready to adjust to the needs of importers and other stakeholders.” Sevilla earlier said they would consider adjusting the bureau’s operating hours as a result of the ban

The two ports are among the biggest in the country based on volume and customs revenues – accounting for almost 48% of total collections in the bureau. – Rappler.com

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