Travel guidelines for cargo amended

MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine Ports Authority (PPA) has amended its travel guidelines for cargo to and from the country’s ports to ensure their unhampered movement.

Under the amended guidelines issued Friday, trucks carrying cargo from one port to another in the country, regardless of whether traversing a body or bodies of water, shall be allowed continuous access to and from the ports instead of having another truck, driver and helper carry the cargo in every port of call until it reaches its final destination.

PPA’s previous guidelines required trucks carrying cargo that would traverse a body of water or from one island to another to unload the cargo in the next port of call and transfer these to another truck or vehicle.

Only trucks carrying cargo from one port to another in Luzon which will not require traversing a body or bodies of water was previously allowed continuous access to and from the said ports.

Meanwhile, carrying empty containers for withdrawal and repositioning should continue to be given free pass to and from the ports and inland container depots, PPA said.

Truck drivers and helpers will likewise remain to be subjected to stringent health protocols by concerned units at the ports before they will be allowed to enter or leave the ports and proceed to their next or final destination.