The National Center for Commuters Safety and Protection Inc. (NCCSPI), an umbrella organization of transport groups, asked the Philippine Ports Authority (PPA) to junk MNHPIs petition due to lack of consultations with stakeholders. BY-NC/Sodaro K, file photo
MANILA, Philippines – Another group has opposed the bid of port operator Manila North Harbour Port Inc. (MNHPI) to increase port tariff by 37.45 percent.
The National Center for Commuters Safety and Protection Inc. (NCCSPI), an umbrella organization of transport groups, asked the Philippine Ports Authority (PPA) to junk MNHPIs petition due to lack of consultations with stakeholders.
Elvira Medina, president of NCCSPI, questioned MNHPI’s move which he said was already monopolizing port operations.
Medina warned that the proposed tariff adjustment would have severe impact not only on consumer goods but also on transportation costs as well.
“We oppose this. It will have a heavy impact on the public, not just on cost of freight and consumer goods but also on petroleum products, which eventually will jack up transportation costs,” he said.
“They cannot justify this increase. They are already acting like a monopoly, and now they get to dictate the price? The public will always be at the losing end,” she added.
Business ( Article MRec ), pagematch: 1, sectionmatch: 1
Medina is urging the Duterte administration to give priority to the interest and welfare of the local traders and commuting public, before any tariff rate adjustment is even considered.
“This attitude of not giving consideration to the public, to ordinary Filipinos — that is the identity of the past administration. If the Duterte administration is really serious in effecting change, it must disallow MNHPI’s petition,” Medina said.
“All stakeholders must be pro-active in opposing this. People can no longer bear additional costs,” she added.
The commuters welfare group is the latest to oppose MNHPI’s tariff hike petition which is now pending before the PPA.
