Ang Pahayagan

Subic Bay Freeport – The Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) will temporarily reduce fees and extend support to port clients to help ease the impact of rising global fuel costs.

SBMA Chairman and Administrator Eduardo Jose L. Aliño said in a statement released to media, the move is in line with Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s Executive Order No. 110, which placed the country under a national energy emergency due to tensions in the Middle East.

Aliño said the measures aim to support industries affected by the crisis and prevent supply chain disruptions.

Under the plan, SBMA will implement a five percent reduction on tariffs for commercial vessels, including harbor, berthing, anchorage, and cleaning fees. Cargo-related charges such as wharfage and storage fees will also be reduced by five percent.

The agency will likewise cut its share in services such as pilotage, hauling, tugboat operations, equipment rental, line handling, and bunkering by five percent.

In addition, SBMA will offer free storage for non-containerized cargo and extend free storage by two more days.

The agency will also suspend the collection of certain fees, including charges for liquid bulk cargo handling, a one percent admission fee for liquid bulk, and a planned 10 percent increase on cargo handling and other charges for non-containerized goods.

Aliño said the measures will take effect upon approval by the SBMA Board and will remain in place until global tensions ease.

SBMA Senior Deputy Administrator for Port Operations Ronnie Yambao said the initiatives are expected to provide about ₱76 million in financial relief over one year.

Of this amount, around ₱49 million will come from direct tariff reductions, ₱25 million from suspended policies, and ₱2 million from extended free storage. (APNT)

📸 Ang Pahayagan file