Philippine Chamber of Commerce

and Industry (PCCI)

22 Feb. 2016
Honorable Jose Rene D. Almendras
Cabinet Secretary - Office of the Cabinet Secretary
Malacaang Palace, J.P. Laurel St.,
San Miguel, Manila
Dear Sec. Almendras:
Greetings from PHILEXPORT and PCCI!
Our attention has been called by our member-exporters/importers who are the
ultimate users of Terminal Appointment Booking System (TABS), even as the
brokers and truckers handle the actual booking. They raised the issue of high fees
involved, namely:
1. transaction fees at the Medium to High Demand Zones which are P300 and
P1,000 respectively;
2. late penalty of P1,625;
3. no-show penalty of P3,251; and
4. advance deposit/maintaining balance of P6,500 per company to be able to
transact using the TABS.
While we appreciate the objective of TABS to facilitate the smooth flow of traffic and
goods in and around the ports, we strongly oppose the imposition of these TABS
fees primarily because the TABS is an inherent part of the port operators mandate
that is supposed to enhance their services.
Additionally, there are realities and challenges beyond business control that have to
be considered in the context of the fees and fines involved. Among other factors, we
refer to the following issues:
1. Because global business is very slow and projected to be bearish in the next
two years, exports have been declining. Any upward adjustments in costs will
hurt business, especially if these are our micro, small and medium enterprises
that do not have healthy cash flows to set aside P6,500 to use the system.
2. Despite the TABS, brokers/truckers using the system have complained of 24hour waiting time for the trucks to enter the ports. One possible reason for the
long queue to the port is the rush to avoid the truck ban hours and penalties,
such that there is now overlapping of truck schedules depending on which
truck arrives first. In any case, this situation gives rise to the problem of
delays in getting in the port and being penalized.
3. There are already a number of duplicating fees being paid at the ports and we
see these additional fees as another profit center at the expense of MSMEs
that are now in a survival mode to keep jobs and livelihood projects.
4. For this #3 reason, the no-show fee for equipment rental maybe redundant,
considering that the equipment is already being paid from other port charges
that have recently been raised despite opposition by stakeholders.
PHILEXPORT
International Trade Center Complex, Roxas Boulevard
cor. Sen. Gil Puyat Ave., Pasay City 1300
Tel. no.: (632) 230-5555 Fax no.: (632) 831-0231
Email: communications@philexport.ph
Website: www.philexport.ph

PCCI Secretariat Office

3F Commerce and Industry Plaza 1030 Campus Ave., cor. Park Ave.
Mckinley Town Center Fort Bonifacio, Taguig City Philippines, 1634
Tel. no.: (632) 846-8196 Fax no.: (632) 846-8619
Email: info@philippinechamber.com
Website: www.philippinechamber.com

Philippine Chamber of Commerce

and Industry (PCCI)

5. Our member-exporters/importers are engaged in just-in time manufacturing

where the processes have short lead times mainly to save on cost. These
short lead times cannot accommodate traffic jams and other aberrations
which are still present despite TABS. As a result, production and shipment of
goods are consequently delayed.
6. The BOC is yet to complete its computerization system and processing with
the Bureau still faces some bottlenecks.
We will appreciate if the Secretary will consider our position to help keep the industry
afloat and arrest our declining competitiveness. We shall be pleased to meet with
you for a more detailed discussion as needed.
Thank you for your usual attention and support.
Very truly yours,

Sergio R. Ortiz-Luis Jr.

President PHILEXPORT

George T. Barcelon
President - PCCI

cc: Hon. Adrian S. Cristobal Jr. Secretary, DTI

Executive Director Senen M. Perlada - EDC
ACD16-02-

PHILEXPORT
International Trade Center Complex, Roxas Boulevard
cor. Sen. Gil Puyat Ave., Pasay City 1300
Tel. no.: (632) 230-5555 Fax no.: (632) 831-0231
Email: communications@philexport.ph
Website: www.philexport.ph

PCCI Secretariat Office

3F Commerce and Industry Plaza 1030 Campus Ave., cor. Park Ave.
Mckinley Town Center Fort Bonifacio, Taguig City Philippines, 1634
Tel. no.: (632) 846-8196 Fax no.: (632) 846-8619
Email: info@philippinechamber.com
Website: www.philippinechamber.com