DTI to truckers: Cut rates to lower prices of goods

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MANILA  -– The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) has called on trucking companies to cut down their rates amidst the declining oil prices to further lower prices of goods.

DTI Secretary Gregory L. Domingo, at the sidelines of National Price Coordinating Council (NPCC) meeting on Tuesday, said that some manufacturers have not yet decreased their prices as truckers still slap high trucking rates despite the downtrend in pump prices.

Domingo said truckers still apply rates following the Manila port congestion mess, when in fact, situation in Manila port has eased.

He mentioned that the Manila Port is currently averaging 11,000 trips per day, higher than the target minimum 8,000 trips a day to further ease the situation at the Manila Port.

“There are more trucks going in and out of the Manila Port now,” the Cabinet official said.

Hence, both truckers and manufacturers should not point the port congestion and excuse themselves in lowering prices of goods and rates of services.

According to DTI Undersecretary Victorio Mario A. Dimagiba, trucking rates still range from Php20,000 to Php30,000 per trip – its peak rate due to port congestion – from the Php8,000 per trip before the Manila Port mess took place.

Dimagiba said truckers should cut down their rates by half to around Php15,000 since situation in port has eased and with the big time rollback in pump prices.

Fuel prices declined by more than 60 percent from US$ 110 a barrel to US$ 40 a barrel.

The DTI continues to call on truckers and manufacturers to impart to consumers the effect of the declining fuel prices through cutting down prices of goods and services.