Truckers hike fees by 50% due to Manila ban

MANILA, Philippines - Truckers jacked up fees by an average of 50 percent last week as a result of an ordinance passed by the Manila city government banning trucks from going through the city’s streets from 5 a.m. to 9 p.m.

The Confederation of Truckers Association of the Philippines (CTAP) raised hauling rates for containerized cargo at the Manila International Container Terminal (MICT) and the South Harbor to points in Metro Manila, and northern and southern Luzon effective last March 15.

The agreement to jack up rates by an average of 15 percent was reached during a regular meeting of CTAP last March 12 after the Manila city government imposed the truck ban last Feb. 24.

Under the new rates, the cost of transporting a 20-footer shipping container from MICT or South Harbor to Manila (Port Area, Intramuros, Binondo and Tondo) is now P10,500 from P7,000 and for a 40-footer, P12,450 compared from P8,300.

Shipments to Ermita, Malate, Sta. Cruz and Quiapo, now cost P11,400 (20-footer) from P7,600 and P13,050 (40-footer) from P8,700.

The trucking fee to Sta. Mesa, Sta. Ana, Sampaloc and other points within Manila is P13,050 (20-footer) from P8,700 and P14,700 (40-footer) from P9,800.

Within Quezon City (points not going beyond EDSA), the cost is now P14,550 (20-footer) and P15,900 (40-footer); within Quezon City (points beyond EDSA), P16,350 and P18,000; Makati and Mandaluyong (points not going beyond EDSA), P15,750 and P17,250; Makati and Mandaluyong (points beyond EDSA), P17,250 and P18,750; Bulacan (Meycauayan and Balagtas), P19,350 and P21,600; Cavite (Bacoor, Imus, Kawit and Noveleta), P20,400 and P22,200. 

CTAP president Ruperto Bayocot earlier said the new rates were necessary as a result of the long waiting period for trucks brought by the truck ban imposed in Manila as well as the three-day trucking holiday.

The protest caused a huge backlog in cargo releases at the ports.

From just one day, Bayocot said the turnaround for haulers became three nights and two days after the truck ban was imposed.

Other groups such as the Integrated North Harbor Truckers Association are also set to jack up their fees.

CTAP officials said their members are now considering a “delivery-by-appointment” scheme to ease the queuing of trucks at the Manila ports.

The daytime window on the truck ban had reverted to 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. after a compromise agreement among truckers and the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority for a two-hour extension of the window to 5 p.m. lapsed last March 15.